The Evangel Vesicovaginal Fistula (VVF) Center at Bingham University Teaching Hospital, in collaboration with Christofel Blending Mission (CBM), has provided free surgical care to 40 women suffering from VVF, bringing hope to many in Taraba State in Northeast region.
The two-week medical outreach, held at the Global Methodist Church Hospital in Jalingo, also facilitated free screening and treatment for 60 women. Among the patients, 10 complicated cases were referred to Jos for further free medical intervention.
Speaking on the initiative with The Guardian, on Friday, at the hospital premises, Fistula Surgeon Dr. Jemimah Agyema stressed the urgent need for a collective effort to eradicate VVF in the region.
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She called on the state government and key stakeholders to actively support the fight against obstetric fistula, emphasizing that the condition disproportionately affects impoverished women who lack access to proper medical care.
“Poverty, illiteracy, and poor nutrition are major contributing factors to VVF,” Dr. Agyema stated. “The poorest of the poor are the most affected because they cannot afford treatment.”
She also expressed deep concern over the stigma attached to VVF patients, highlighting that many women have been abandoned by their families and isolated by society.
To combat this, she urged women and girls to take the lead in advocating for accessible and inclusive reproductive healthcare services.
“Women themselves must drive the advocacy to raise awareness and push for government intervention,” she added.
Some beneficiaries of the Programme appealed to the Taraba State Government to collaborate with the Evangel VVF Center in order to eliminate the condition in the state.
