Two hundred and thirty five women suffering from obstetric fistula have been treated using surgical procedures at Jahun general hospital in Jigawa state.
The Field Coordinator Medecines Sans Frontiers, Jean Clement Ishimwe disclosed this at the patients discharge ceremony held in Jahun General Hospital.
He explained that, since January this year the international medical organisation Doctors without Borders has called for a concerted effort to help women affected to be reintegrated back i their communities and to prevent these devastating injuries from occurring in the first place by expanding access to quality maternal care.
He pointed out that, Medecines Sans Frontiers has been providing surgical repairs, physiotherapy, occupational therapy and psychosocial support to women suffering from fistula since 2008.
Jean Clement said, obstetric fistulas are generally caused during childbirth by prolonged, obstructed labor.
According to him, from January to November 2022, 235 women suffering from fistula were successfully treated with surgical intervention while 282 women had their fistula repaired in 2021.
He said, MSF team in Jahun also provided 33,917 women with antenatal care, assisted in over 12,500 deliveries and over 1,600 deliveries through cesarean sessions.
He added that, about 100 women who suffered from obstetric fistula and successfully completed their surgical treatment would leave the MSF’s program to return to their homes.
Clement added that, about 50 women who successfully completed the fistula treatment will start a rehabilitation and skill acquisition training in January 2023.
He said the program is supported by the fistula foundation and the state Ministry of Women Affairs.
In his speech on behalf of traditional leaders, the district head of Aujara Alhaji Aminu Mohammed Dan Mallam called on the state government to sustain the program.
Also speaking, the MSF Medical Activity Manager, Dr Fatima Aliyu noted that, before the intervention of Medecines Sans Frontiers, the Centre have only 5 beds capacity with only 2 staff.
Dr Fatima said, presently the Centre has total number of 55 beds capacity, 25 staff while over 5,290 patients are treated.
Radio Nigeria reports that, the MSF also inaugurated a solar power project which is aimed at improving the quality and reliability of electricity supply.
The multi annual project will reduce the carbon footprint and the energy costs of the hospital’s budget up to 40 percent from its total energy consumption.
Usman Mohammed Zaria
