The Nigerian government, through the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, has inaugurated a comprehensive obstetric fistula care program to address over 400,000 backlog cases in the country.
Of the two million people living with unrepaired obstetric fistula globally, Nigeria accounts for 7.5 percent. No fewer than one million are in developing countries, with about 100,000 affected by obstetric fistula.
The National Obstetric Fistula Centres in Katsina, Bauchi, Ebonyi, and Edo states will address the backlog of nearly 400,000 cases, with the initial focus planned to target these areas.
The programme, to be implemented by the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), includes saving lives, reducing the physical and financial burden on women, and ensuring health for all Nigerians.
Prof Muhammad Ali Pate, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, disclosed this during the inauguration of the Fistula Free Programme Steering Committee under the NHIA Intervention at a ministerial launch on Wednesday in Abuja.
According to him, in sub-Saharan Africa and Asia, obstetric fistula is a devastating childbirth injury that affects millions of young women.
The condition leaves women unable to control their bladder and bowels, caused by prolonged and obstructed labor where the baby’s head gets stuck in the birth canal, cutting off blood flow to the mother’s soft tissues and creating a hole between the bladder or rectum and the vagina.
Surgery, he observed, is the only cure, saying that untreated fistula can lead to constant incontinence, kidney damage, ulcers, frequent infections, and the inability to have children.
He assured that the comprehensive program, set to begin in June, would provide immediate medical interventions and long-term preventative measures in the country.
He explained that the program focuses on preventing fistula by ensuring mothers receive proper nourishment, supervision by skilled professionals during delivery, and access to emergency specialist care to avoid complications.
According to the minister, the initiative underscores the importance of community and societal involvement, saying that empowering and educating girls to ensure they are ready for motherhood is a key aspect of the program, requiring the support of community and political leaders and civil society.
The key components of the program, he said, include reducing the cost of access to treatment, surgical interventions, education, counseling, and transportation of patients, pointing out that the initiative highlights the dedication of health workers and the importance of training programs for surgical skills.
“This issue has been present for a very long time, but we are finally taking significant steps to address it. The success of the initiative relies on the commitment of healthcare professionals and community support,” he explained.
He believed that with the right political backing and sustained efforts, the initiative aims to break the cycle of fistula and ultimately eliminate the problem in the country.
He also believed that addressing the challenge would help the country achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goal 3, which entails ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all.
Kelechi Ohiri, the Director-General of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), in his presentation, highlighted a comprehensive strategy aimed at addressing the needs of women suffering from fistula, stating the importance of financial access and systemic support for vulnerable populations.