Muhammad Alabira Nabordo
Dr. Fatima Aliyu, Medical Activity Manager at Medicine Sans Frontières (MSF) in Jahun, Jigawa State, said family planning and child-spacing always bring about safe motherhood.
She said it also bring about healthy mother, healthy baby and reducing maternal morbidity and mortality, not just in cases of obstetric fistula.
Dr Aliyu made the assertion during the commemoration of the International Day to End Obstetric Fistula in Jahun.
She highlighted that planned pregnancies, birth preparedness, and access to quality antenatal services can help tackle obstetric fistula.
According to her that obstetric fistula is a condition caused by prolonged obstructed labour, resulting in abnormal openings between the bladder and vagina.
Adding that women affected by this condition suffer from continuous urine leakage, obstetric palsy, neuropathic pain, and social stigma.
She noted that the Jahun VVF Centre, supported by MSF, has performed 74 surgeries in 2025 and a total of 4,931 surgeries since inception in 2008.
Dr. Fatima added that MSF’s support for maternal and child health has contributed to reducing maternal and perinatal mortality rates in the state.
“The intervention has improved access to emergency obstetric and newborn care, ensured medical supplies, and promoted health education.
“The Jahun VVF Centre’s success in repairing vesicovaginal fistulas is a testament to the impact of MSF’s support in Jigawa State,” she said.
Dr. Fatima’s call for increased public awareness on planned pregnancies and access to quality antenatal services aimed at reducing the incidence of obstetric fistula and promote healthy motherhood.
Also the State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Abdullahi Kaimuwa, acknowledged the role of partners like Devcom, TCI, MSF, and UNICEF in enhancing healthcare service delivery in the state.
