Healing Women with Vesicovaginal Fistula in Nigeria

The article by Amogi Endurance Friday addresses the issue of vesicovaginal fistula (VVF) in Nigeria, particularly in Jigawa State, where many women suffer in silence due to stigma and lack of access to medical care. VVF, a severe form of obstetric fistula, results from prolonged obstructed labor, leading to abnormal openings between the bladder and vagina, causing constant leakage of urine and sometimes fecal incontinence.

Women with VVF often face social isolation, abandonment, and deep depression. The article notes that despite the availability of surgical care, many women do not seek help due to ignorance and stigma.

Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) operates a center in Jigawa State, providing free surgical care and psychosocial support. The article emphasizes that recovery involves not only medical treatment but also economic empowerment and social reintegration, enabling women to regain dignity and agency in their lives.