Women suffering from obstetric fistula have been treated using surgical procedures at Jahun general hospital in Jigawa state.
The Field Coordinator, Medecines Sans Frontiers(MSF), Jean Clement Ishimwe, disclosed this at the patients discharge ceremony held in Jahun General Hospital.
Mr Ishimwe said since January 2022, the International Medical Organisation, Doctors without Borders have been calling for a concerted effort to help women affected with Fistula to reintegrate into their communities and to prevent the devastating injuries from occurring.
While explaining how MSF has been providing surgical repairs and psychosocial support to women suffering from fistula since 2008, he hinted that obstetric fistulas are generally caused during childbirth due to prolonged, obstructed labor.
According to him, between January and November, 2022, 235 women suffering from fistula were successfully treated with surgical intervention, while 282 women had their fistula repaired in 2021.
Mr Ishimwe also credited the MSF team in Jahun with providing 33,917 women with antenatal care, assisting in over 12,500 deliveries and over 1,600 deliveries through cesarean section.
“About 100 women who suffered from obstetric fistula and successfully completed their surgical treatment would leave the MSF’s programme to return to their homes,” he said. “Also, 50 women, who successfully completed the fistula treatment, would start a rehabilitation as well as skill-acquisition training in January, 2023,” he added.
The MSF Medical Activity Manager, Dr Fatima Aliyu noted that before the intervention of Medecines Sans Frontiers, the Centre only had a five-bed capacity, with just two staff but presently, the Centre has a total of 55 beds, 25 staff, and over 5,290 patients receiving treatment.
The programme, which was supported by the fistula foundation and the state ministry of women affairs, had the district head of Aujara, Alhaji Aminu Mohammed Dan Mallam in attendance. Alhaji Dan Mallam called on the state government to sustain the programme.
The multi annual project will reduce the carbon footprint and energy costs of the hospital’s budget by as much as 40% of its total energy consumption.
Reporting by Usman Muhammed; Editing by Julian Osamoto and Tony Okerafor