The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare has collaborated with the US Agency for International Development (USAID) to conduct 1,566 fistula repairs in Bauchi, Ebonyi, Kebbi, Sokoto and FCT between 2021 and 2024.
The ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Daju Kachollom, disclosed this at the end of a project learning and dissemination workshop for USAID-MOMENTUM Safe Surgery in Family Planning and Obstetrics (MSSFPO), in Abuja.
Kachollom, represented by Dr Binyerem Ukaire, Director, Family Health, said
they also developed a fistula pricing model to improve access to services for survivors through the National Health Insurance Scheme.
She added that they ensured safe and surgical obstetric care such as cesarean delivery and peripartum hysterectomy, obstetric and iatrogenic fistula prevention care, female genital cutting prevention and management, as well as gender-based violence.
“This has led to 1,566 fistula repairs at project-supported facilities and many health care workers trained in surgical obstetrics prevention and treatment of fistula and female genital cutting.
“I wish to appreciate this partnership with the government of Nigeria to intervene in these critical areas of saving the lives of women and young girls as well as ensuring their wellbeing,” she said.
Dr Kabiru Atta, Country Project Manager, USAID-MSSFPO, said apart from the fistula care for over 1,566 clients, the project ensured 81 per cent of clients received rehabilitative and reintegration care.
Atta added that over 350 health workers across 48 hospitals were supported on fistula care and management, over 60 health workers on the management of complications of FGM/C, while 1.2 million people were reached with Social and Behaviour Change (SBC).
“Before the project came on board, one of the things we identified was that only 17 per cent of fistula clients were actually having access to rehabilitation and restoration services.
“We were able to actually put in place systems or mechanisms to ensure that after the end of the project today, 81 per cent of fistula clients who now walk into the government hospitals to access service are actually receiving a holistic fistula care service.
“So they are not only receiving surgeries, they are also receiving family planning counseling, psychosocial counseling, the therapy services, nutritional services, psychosocial services and others to ensure we fully restore them to the dignity of life,” he said.
The project manager, therefore, commended all the states, especially Bauchi and Ebonyi for implementing some of the recommendations targeted at reducing maternal and newborn mortality and morbidity.
Ms Suegatha Rennie, representing USAID, noted that the project has accelerated reductions in maternal and newborn mortality and morbidity.
She said: “Despite these successes, inflation continues to affect the cost of inputs for fistula surgery.
“And this requires more concerted investments by the government and all partners to ensure we eliminate fistula by 2030.”
She commended EngenderHealth, the implementing partners and others for the overall success of the project implementation.
