By Justina Auta
The Intermediation Foundation, an NGO has called on governments and other stakeholders to improve access to treatment and provide sustainable economic empowerment for survivors of Vesicovaginal Fistula (VVF).
The NGO made the call during a skills acquisition and VVF treatment fundraising event on Tuesday in Abuja.
VVF is a medical condition where an abnormal opening forms between the bladder and vagina, allowing continuous involuntary leaking of urine through the vagina.
A Chief Consultant Fistula Surgeon, Dr Saad Idris said that VVF was mostly caused by prolong obstructed labour, accidents, cultural practices, Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), and poor awareness.
Idris, who is also an international trainer on VVF, said that poverty, delay in accessing medical interventions, inadequate medical equipments, amongst others, were also predisposing factors to VVF.
The organisation’s Founder, Dr Anthonia Mbaeri said that the cost of VVF treatment, was around two million Naira per person, which she said had stalled access to management and care for some of its survivors.
According to her, it is a very debilitating illness, and there is no much awareness with regards to the causes, management and cost of the repair.
”So we need to start from the grassroot level first, creating awareness within the community about the causes of VVF, how to prevent it, and if it does occur, how to manage it.
“When it does occur, especially among these women who are financially unable to look after themselves, we need people out there to create awareness, to raise funds for them, for the treatment,” she said.
Mbaeri said that the organisation also launched the “adopt a survivor” initiative to encourage the public to assist with treatment cost and empowerment opportunities for the women.
She said that in addition to that, their rehabilitation and reintegration into the community, which could take several forms, like skills awareness training or skills acquisition.
“It is not enough to stitch them up and send them well on their way. They need to be looked after holistically, mind wise, socially, financially, in every way, shape or form.
“So these are the areas I believe need a lot of intervention from the community, the government and from individuals who can help.
”I also hope that organisations can include VVF treatment and rehabilitation of these women as part of their Corporate Social Responsibilities (CSR) in order to help them to be better members of the community,” she said.
VVF survivor, Mrs Loveth Ogunsoji while narrating her ordeal, said that she had VVF after the delivery of her second child.
Ogunsoji said that through the intervention of some NGOs and her parents, she was able to undergo surgery for repairs to stop leakage of faeces from her body.
While calling for support to assist women suffering from VVF, she stressed the need for the public, especially spouses, to support and care for their wives undergoing such trauma.
Mrs Gloria Onwuzurike, representing the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, expressed appreciation to the organisation for supporting the government to provide care and treatment for VVF survivors.
Onwuzurike, while reiterating the commitment of the government in addressing challenges affecting women and children, urged others to support the government in improving well-being, health and empowerment of women.
Other activities included fundraising for survivors, skill demonstrations and exhibitions, donation of empowerment tools to the beneficiaries of the skills acquisition initiative.
