crisis in nigeria

AS Nigeria joined the rest of the world to mark this year’s International Day to End of Obstetric Fistula the United Nations Secretary General, Ban Ki Moon has disclosed that no fewer than two million poor and
marginalised women and girls suffer from Obstetric Fistula globally. Fistula is a preventable and treatable condition that occurs as a result of hole or tear between the birth canal and the rectum or bladder that results in chronic incontinence and dangerous infections. In Nigeria 150,000 are suffering from the disorder and less than 5,000 have access to treatment. In a message to mark this year’s celebration with the theme: ‘End fistula within a generation”, Moon blamed the persistence of fistula in some countries like Nigeria on very poor access to quality maternal health services. According to him, to end it, countries must strengthen their health systems. “The persistence of fistula in some countries and regions is an indicator of very poor access to quality maternal health services. We must strengthen health systems and address broader development and human rights issues affecting women and girls: poverty, gender inequality, early marriage, early childbearing, and lack of education. Fistula has virtually been eliminated in most high- and middle.” He explained that fistula afflicts those who do not have access to good quality maternal health care. “Added to the pain and suffering is the stigma and discrimination that surrounds Obstetric Fistula in many communities around the world because it is almost entirely a condition of the poorest, most vulnerable and most marginalised women and girls, sufferers of this condition often live with it for years because they cannot afford to get treatment, he explained. In his remarks, Executive Director, United Nations Population Fund, UNFPA, Dr. Babatunde Osotimehin, acknowledged the need to accelerate efforts towards ending Obstetric Fistula – “For UNFPA, ending fistula remains one of our highest priorities, and we will continue to accelerate efforts, both in our own work and within the United Nations system. The global Campaign to End Fistula, launched in 2003 by UNFPA and partners, has made significant progress towards eliminating fistula and supporting its survivors through prevention, treatment, social reintegration and advocacy. UNFPA has supported more than 70,000 fistula repair surgeries for women and girls in need, and Campaign partners have enabled many more to receive treatment”. As we talk about ending polio, HIV/AIDS, female genital mutilation and so many other forms of suffering, so must we commit to stepping up our efforts to end fistula, once and for all. This means heeding the call of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development to leave no one behind, especially those most neglected, invisible and powerless, including the women and girls.