Women
By Fatima Mohammed-Lawal

No fewer than 1,600 women suffering from obstetric fistula have undergone free surgeries under the Federal Government’s National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) Fistula-Free Programme (FFP).

Dr Saka Agboola, Head of the Standards and Quality Assurance Unit at NHIA, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ilorin on Monday.

He explained that the government initiative aims to provide free surgeries, rehabilitation, and health insurance coverage for women affected by obstetric fistula.

“The government recognized that the number of fistula treatment centres in the country was very limited, which is why we have increased the number to 18 centres nationwide. Through this initiative, over 1,600 fistula cases have been successfully treated,” he said.

Agboola also noted that Nigeria is committed to improving the health outcomes of the estimated 400,000 women living with obstetric fistula by reducing maternal and neonatal mortality.

NAN reports that fistula is an abnormal opening that connects two organs or vessels that should normally be separate.

Obstetric fistula, specifically, occurs between the vagina and the bladder (vesicovaginal fistula) or the vagina and rectum (rectovaginal fistula), often resulting from prolonged labor without access to proper medical care.

Agboola said that developing countries bear the highest burden of obstetric fistula, with approximately 1 million cases globally.

He added that through this programme, patients are not only saved from physical and emotional pain but are also supported financially with coverage for feeding, transportation, and stipends.

(NAN)
Edited by Remi Koleoso/Bayo Sekoni