Foundation Offers 200 Women With Free Surgery.

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The Raised Foundation, a non-governmental organisation, is set to provide free fistula repair surgery to at least 200 women in Nigeria.

The vesicovaginal fistula is an abnormal fistulous tract extending between the bladder (vesica) and the vagina that leads to the continuous involuntary discharge of urine into the vaginal vault. 

The surgery will be carried out through the foundation’s medical outreach on January 27, 2025, at the Dr. Amina Women Health Centre in Kontagora, Niger State.

Nigeria has one of the highest numbers of vesicovaginal fistula (VVF) cases globally, with 148,000 reported cases and 12,000 new cases annually, according to the United Nations Population Fund.

The foundation’s Communication Officer, Ruth Mamman-Jiya, explained that

“We intended to carry out 200 surgeries within one year, starting from July 2024 to June 2025. So far, we have done 121 surgeries, and this outreach is a continuation of that effort.”

Mamman-Jiya noted that the foundation had mobilised patients for the medical outreach through community mobilisers, health centres, and radio awareness campaigns. She added that the foundation has a good working relationship with most health centres within the state, saying they also refer patients to it’s centre.

According to Mamman-Jiya, the foundation has carried out over 800 surgeries since its inception in 2017. 

“Since 2020, all surgeries have been carried out at the Dr. Amina Women Health Centre, Kontagora.”

The centre provides a comprehensive package, including surgery, feeding, and accommodation, all free of charge. 

Mamman-Jiya emphasized, “We don’t just treat them and leave them; we empower them with skills and start-up packs to reintegrate them back into society.”

The centre’s vision, according to Mamman-Jiya, is to create a Nigeria where no woman dies from pregnancy-related causes, and obstetric fistula is eradicated. “We try to restore hope and dignity to women living with fistula, and our goal is to reduce the negative indices of Fistula in Nigeria.”

Mamman-Jiya added, “We believe that no woman should have to bear the pains and troubles that come with obstetric fistula while trying to give birth.

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