Gynaecologist Calls for Increased Public Awareness on Obstetric Fistula Prevention and Treatment

A leading Nigerian gynaecologist has urged health authorities, civil society organizations, and the media to intensify awareness campaigns on obstetric fistula, a debilitating childbirth injury that continues to affect thousands of women across the country, particularly in rural communities.

Speaking in commemoration of the International Day to End Obstetric Fistula, the medical expert emphasized that lack of awareness, delayed access to maternal healthcare, and early marriages remain key contributors to the persistence of the condition in Nigeria. Obstetric fistula is a severe medical condition that results in an abnormal opening between the birth canal and the bladder or rectum, leading to continuous leakage of urine or feces.

The gynaecologist noted that while fistula is preventable and treatable, many women endure the condition in silence due to social stigma, misinformation, and inadequate healthcare infrastructure. He called for a multi-sectoral response to combat the condition, including strengthening antenatal care services, improving emergency obstetric care, and promoting the rights of women and girls to safe childbirth.

He also called for more government funding towards free surgical repairs, rehabilitation programs, and community-based education initiatives. “Obstetric fistula is not just a health issue, it’s a matter of human dignity and justice,” he said. “No woman should suffer lifelong isolation for complications that are entirely preventable.”

Recent statistics from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) estimate that over 13,000 new cases of obstetric fistula occur annually in Nigeria, with only a fraction receiving timely medical intervention.

Stakeholders are now calling on policymakers to prioritize maternal health and to accelerate the implementation of national strategies aimed at ending obstetric fistula by 2030.