OBSTETRIC FISTULA- GYNAECOLOSIST ADVOCATES URGENT ACTION
Nigeria leads the global obstetric fistula cases, with about 40 percent of all cases worldwide occurring in Nigeria.
Medical Director of Kwaya Clinic and Maternity Yola, Dr. Sunday Pius and expert with the Obstetrics and gynecology unit of Modibbo Adama Teaching Hospital Yola, does not want Nigeria not to lead from the rear anymore, just days after marking the world obstetric fistula prevention day.
Every may, the world marks fistula prevention day.
Some 50,000-100,000 women sustain an obstetric fistula, while trying to give birth every year,
Experts say, approximately 80-95% of this scenario which occurs when a young woman experiences prolonged obstructed labour, due to a small pelvis or the baby’s head being too big or the baby baby, badly positioned and the woman, has no access to a Caesarean section, is the most devastating of all pregnancy-related disabilities.
Sadly, Nigeria accounts for 40% of fistula cases worldwide.
Gynecologist Sunday Pius says the obstruction when it occurs creates real concerns
“Age contributes to it, most especially teenage pregnancies, teenage pregnancy is a complication on its own, the pelvis may not be properly developed to handle the labour or the baby may be too big”……
But what must be done to deal to this after several years of awareness? Sunday Pius maintains that while it is common practice in many African and Nigerian communities to marry early, northern Nigeria where most of Nigeria’s burden lies, needs to do more, to end the avoidable heartbreak for many girls
“is devastating, socially those women have been deprived and economically they have been deprived, you will see that it affects all most all aspects of your life, most of them face divorce even on the hospital beds”
Statistics indicate that more than 400, 000 women remain untreated in Nigeria, as only few thousands are repaired annually, to stop this Sunday Pius says Nigeria must be deliberate.
“Obstetric fistula as a result of obstructed labour, is something that has been eradicated in the developed worlds, so if it can be eradicated in the developed world it can be eradicated in the developed world if we are serious”
Obstetric Fistula is a preventable and treatable condition, one that no woman should have to endure. Gynecologist Sunday Pius is unequivocal in calling for seriousness from all, he says we must stop harmful cultural practices, child marriages and provide timely medical care for women.