Sokoto to Pay Dowry of Successful VVF Cases

The Sokoto State Government has promised to pay the dowry to any man ready to marry any woman resident in the state who has been successfully treated of Vesico Vaginal Fistula (VVF).

The Commissioner for Health, Dr Balarabe Kakale, disclosed this at the Ministerial Press Briefing organised by the state ministry of information in Sokoto on Sunday.

This briefing was organised in collaboration with the state council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ).
Kakale said that the state government’s gesture was aimed at dispelling insinuations that women affected by VVF and successfully treated were not marriageable.

He said: “The Vesico-Vaginal Fistula Hospital at Maryam Abacha Women and Children Hospital, Sokoto, was established to treat VVF cases.
“The VVF cases in the state are drastically reducing due to intensive public enlightenment on the causes of the health problem.

“In the period under review, 287 women, who were hitherto afflicted by VVF, were successfully operated.
“The state government is in collaboration with the UNFPA and the Acquire Fistula Care Project, to reduce VVF cases in the state.’’
The commissioner also disclosed that the government had instituted a N25,000 prize for any person who reported any case of guinea worm in the state.

Kakale said: “Anybody who reports any case of the disease will instantly get the money in reward. This gesture by the state government is part of efforts to reduce the prevalence of the waterborne disease.’’

Vesicovaginal fistula (VVF) is a subtype of female urogenital fistula (UGF). Vesicovaginal Fistula, or VVF, is an abnormal fistulous tract extending between the bladder (or vesico) and the vagina that allows the continuous involuntary discharge of urine into the vaginal vault.

In addition to the medical sequela from these fistulas, they often have a profound effect on the patient’s emotional well-being.

It is often caused by childbirth (in which case it is known as an obstetric fistula), when a prolonged labor presses the unborn child tightly against the pelvis, cutting off blood flow to the vesicovaginal wall. The affected tissue may necrotize (die), leaving a hole.

Vaginal fistulas can also result from violent rape. Some health centers in countries such as the Democratic Republic of Congo have begun to specialize in the surgical repair of vaginal fistulas.

It can also be associated with hysterectomy, cancer operations, radiation therapy and cone biopsy.

Vesicovaginal fistulae are typically repaired either transvaginally or laparoscopically, although patients who have had multiple transvaginal procedures sometimes attempt a final repair through a large abdominal incision, or laparotomy.

The laparoscopic (minimally invasive) approach to VVF repair has become more prevalent due to its greater visualization, higher success rate, and lower rate of complications.

Possible complications after surgical treatment are: Recurrent formation of the fistula, Injury to ureter, bowel, or intestines and Vaginal shortening