A professor of Urogynaecology and Perineal Reconstruction at University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Prof. Aniefiok Umoiyoho, has complained about the shortage of experts and lack of hospital facilities to tackle the growing cases of Vesicovaginal Fistula in the country.
He expressed dismay that Akwa Ibom State had only two VVF surgeons while many hospitals in the state lacked the facilities.
Umoiyoho stated this while presenting the 92nd Inaugural Lecture of the University of Uyo, titled, ‘She shall be saved in childbearing.’
He called on the government to urgently provide incentives for young medical doctors willing to undertake training in VVF.
He also called for health education for people in rural areas on the causes, prevention, and treatment of VVF, adding improvement in the social and nutritional status of women, discouraging early marriage, and improving accessible healthcare services would check cases of VVF.
Umoiyoho said, “VVF is among the most distressing conditions for women. It causes a great deal of social, emotional, and psychological stress and strain on the patients.
“The diagnosis is based on symptoms/signs, clinical tests, and some investigations; and surgery is the mode of treatment. The best chance of successful surgical repair is the first attempt. The debate about the most appropriate route of repair continues.
“The role of inter-positioning grafts is viewed positively, especially in recurrent and large fistulas. Laparoscopic and robot-assisted techniques hold great promise in VVF repair, however, these are expensive and require considerable learning curves.
“Measures for prevention must include universal education, improvement in the social and nutritional status of women, discouraging early marriage, and the provision of improved easily accessible healthcare services.
“High-level fistula surgeons must be trained. They are very few presently. In Akwa Ibom State, we are two. Incentives should be given to young medical officers who are willing to undertake training in this field.”
