Obstetric fistula, causing leakage of urine or faeces following childbirth, continues to be a problem in our environment. The Management of the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital (UATH) recently made history by embarking on a free fistula repair program from 19th to 23rd June, 2023.
During this period, twelve (12) women aged between 21 and 62 years had free surgical repair. They came from the FCT, Nasarawa, Niger, Abia, Oyo and Lagos states. One of them had lived with the condition for 33 years before succour came her way!
It was a beautiful and fulfilling experience seeing the joy on the faces of these women and their loved ones who can now have a sigh of relief after years of physical and emotional trauma, hardship and stigma.
Profound appreciation goes to the Urogynaecology Team led by Dr Richard Offiong, Dr Babafemi Daniyan and Dr Bilal Suleiman; the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology; the Management of UATH and Professor Oladosu Ojengbede, Director CRH, UCH, for this life-changing campaign.