Bida – Hajia Amina Bello, wife of Gov. Abubakar Bello of Niger, on Wednesday said increased education and sensitisation would help in eradicating Vesico Vaginal Fistula (VVF) in the country.
Bello said this in Bida, while inaugurating a VVF Camp for the surgery of 30 women with the condition.
Wikipaedia, the free encyclopaedia, defines Vesicovaginal Fistula (VVF) as “an abnormal fistulous tract extending between the bladder (or vesico) and the vagina that allows the continuous involuntary discharge of urine into the vaginal vault.
“It is often caused by childbirth (in which case it is known as an obstetric fistula), when a prolonged labour presses the unborn child tightly against the pelvis, cutting off blood flow to the vesicovaginal wall.
“Vaginal fistulas can also result from particularly violent cases of rape, especially those involving multiple rapists and or foreign objects.’’
Bello said, “It should be everybody’s business to join in sensitising and educating people on the need to access primary healthcare centres.
“When people are aware of the causes of VVF, it will go a long way toward eradicating it from the society,’’ she said.
Bello, who is also the founder of RAISE Foundation, identified prolonged labour as one of the main causes of VVF.
“Prolonged labour is the major cause of VVF.
“Instead of going to Primary Healthcare Centres close to them, women prefer to deliver at home which often leads to complications.
“When eventually they were taken to the hospital, they may lose the child and also develop the condition,’’ Bello said.
The governor’s wife said that her foundation had commenced plans to set up a Fistula Centre that would serve people in the North-Central Zone.
“There is none in the zone; so I hope the state government will make use of it when established,’’ she said.
She enjoined other stakeholders to join in the campaign against VVF.
One of the beneficiaries, Mrs Aisha Suleiman (21), who spoke on behalf of others, commended the governor’s wife for her gesture.
“For remembering people like us, Almighty Allah will bless you. We pray Allah to help you to do more,’’ Suleiman said.