103 women and girls living with obstetric fistula receive surgical repairs in Nigeria

SOKOTO, Nigeria - One hundred and three women and girls in Sokoto, Northern Nigeria living with obstetric fistula had their dignity restored following Spotlight Initiative-supported medical care. The intervention addressed complex fistulas deemed inoperable and ureteric fistulas that require implantations through abdominal open surgery.

Nasara Bello, 40, from the Maganawa community, had suffered from fistula for at least two years and had already undergone an initial surgery that didn’t work. She endured negative comments in her community because of her condition, before being selected for treatment. "Urine was continuously leaking before, but there’s a huge difference now and I feel better,” she says.

Without treatment, fistula can severely impact a woman’s health and wellbeing. She may be unable to control the flow of her urine or faeces, suffer nerve damage in her legs, or face social stigma such as rejection from her husband, family, and/or community, leading to shame and isolation.

Corrective surgery to women suffering from obstetric fistula is the first and most important step towards successfully reintegrating them into their community, while unsuccessful surgery can leave women in the same or an even worse situation.

Surgical repair gives the patient hope of recovery and improves her mental state. It affords women freedom to interact with family, work, interact with the general community and the ability to lead a normal life.

Following surgery, Ms. Bello and other girls and women are monitored for complications on a post-operative ward by qualified nursing staff for two to four weeks with a catheter in place, to reduce the risk of infection and to encourage healing.

For inquiries, please contact:

Judith Owoicho
judith.owoicho@one.un.org

Adewole Ajao
ajao@unfpa.org