A nongovernmental organisation, Fistula Foundation Nigeria (FFN) and the Gombe State Ministry of Health, scheduled free Vesico Vaginal Fistula (VVF) surgeries for women affected by the condition in the state.
The Director of FFN, Dr Isa Musa, made this known in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja on Friday.
He stated that the surgeries would be carried out from May 20 to May 24.
According to him, the programme is funded by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the Norwegian Government.
He added that “all those facing non-stop leaking of urine called VVF are advised to go to Gombe State Specialist Hospital for free registration.
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“For further details, interested persons should call 07032513530, 0816 602 7214 and 08036322742 or email (aneofnig@yahoo.com) with the name of the woman presumed to have VVF, her location and her phone number.”
VVF or Obstetric Fistula (OF) is an abnormal opening between the vagina and the bladder, resulting in continuous leakage of urine.
The condition is often caused by prolonged obstructed labour and is closely and directly linked to maternal mortality and morbidity.
Vesicovaginal fistula (VVF) is an abnormal opening between the bladder and the vagina that results in continuous and unremitting urinary incontinence. The entity is one of the most distressing complications of gynecologic and obstetric procedures.
In addition to the medical sequela from these fistulas, they often have a profound effect on the patient’s emotional well-being.
It may be the result of a congenital birth condition such as VACTERL association. It is often caused by childbirth (in which case it is known as an obstetric fistula), when a prolonged labor presses the unborn child tightly against the pelvis, cutting off blood flow to the vesicovaginal wall.
The double dye test is useful for diagnosing vesicovaginal and ureterovaginal fistulae. In this test, the patient ingests oral phenazopyridine (Pyridium), and indigo carmine or methylene blue is instilled into the bladder via a urethral catheter.
