Obstetric Fistula: Living with incontinence and shame

By Hauwa Muhammad Aminu

Being diagnosed with fistula is quite scary and depressing at the beginning, because I had to take pills to be able to sleep, despite all the support from my family, especially my husband who has been very supportive and tolerable, as I have never for once, experienced any form of insecurities.

I am 30 years old, Hauwa Muhammad Aminu, a Bauchi based. I’m a survivor of Vesico Vaginal Fistula for 4 years.

It happened when I was involved in an accident 26 years ago, which led to an injury in my bladder, though it was repaired at that time.

Fast forward to 2019, when I gave birth to my second child, I started experiencing severe pain in my stomach, difficulty sleeping and breathing properly.

Several investigations were conducted, which showed bladder diverticulum, mild right side obstructive uropathy, stenosis, and many more .

I underwent a successful surgery, and 2 days post operative while I was eating, I felt a sudden pain in the abdomen, which before the end of the day, I started leaking urine pericatheter. I was taken back to the operating room for urethrocystoscopy, which stenosis was noted and reexplode, and so many more.

12 days post-operative, I started leaking urine again. Thereafter, an assessment of Vesico Vaginal Fistula was made, and I was placed for conservatives of 6 weeks. To tell you the level of devastation I went through, hoping it gets healed or a miracle to happen is an understatement.

I was later referred to National Obstetric Fistula Center (NOFIC) Ningi, Bauchi state, where I met other women with similar cases.

Being diagnosed with fistula is quite scary and depressing at the beginning, because I had to take pills to be able to sleep, despite all the support from my family, especially my husband who has been very supportive and tolerable, as I have never for once, experienced any form of insecurities.

Even though, it has affected my social relationship in terms of visitations or social gatherings, where I started thinking of how to survive and socialize just like everyone else, especially in providing myself diapers, perfumes, clothing and detergents that will take away the foul smell, a development that got me thinking about all the other women that are shunned or divorced by their husbands or community on how do they survive mentally, emotionally and financially as one may undergo multiple surgeries and still come out unsuccessful.

How do they cope and who do they go for help as 80% of them are divorced? All we want is to feel among and be treated with kindness.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), over 2 million women worldwide live with obstetric fistula, with the majority of such cases occurring in resource-poor countries like Nigeria. Afflicted tend to be both old and young primiparous mothers, impoverished to interact with society as a result of our foul smell and inability to bear more children.

This results in us being ostracized and shunned by our community.

Most Obstetric fistulas are surgically correctible, although surgical outcomes have been poorly studied as a patient may undergo so many surgeries and still be unsuccessful.

As we mark this year’s International Day To End Obstetric Fistula, it is worth noting that treatment is now free in Nigerian Fistula Centres. It is a huge relief, which people find much easier and less stressful mentally and financially.

Though the free treatment brings relief to the VVF patients, it is sad that a woman with a fistula who is perpetually leaking urine and sometimes feces is often rejected by her husband, divorced or shunned, and discriminated by the people around her. This result in so much shame, worries, fear, and depression but due to frequent visits to the hospital and interaction with other victim, they are relieved of such predicaments.

The government of Nigeria and other international bodies have made the surgery-free and sometimes distribute machines to those whose surgeries are successful to start afresh but what happens to us that are still struggling with the injury for decades or a few years?

There’s a need for more intervention in so many ways, especially on how we should keep personal hygiene by providing us with perfumes, washing detergent, and pampers so as to move freely, as only 4% of the population can afford.

I urge the government, NGOs, and wealthy individuals to assist by enrolling us in schools and providing us with jobs or capital to start businesses; this will enable us to cater for our daily needs in this high cost of upkeep and God will undoubtedly reward all that help.

Apart from the financial impact, such a gesture will also keep us engaged, thereby making us feel relevant in the society.

I celebrate all fistula mothers in Nigeria and all over the world. Happy International Day To End Obstetric Fistula.

Hauwa Muhammad Aminu writes from Bauchi, can be reached on email: savewomenwithfistula@gmail.com

Yobe State Assembly confirms new Auditor General, others

From Mohammed Maitela, Damaturu

Yobe state House of Assembly on Tuesday confirmed the appointment of Alhaji Umar Mai Aliyu Gulani as the new Yobe state Auditor General.

This is after receiving a recommendation from the house standing committee on public service and government house having critically studied the curriculum vitae as well as information obtained during the interactive session with the nominee.

The Committee recommended that, the nominee in person of Mai Aliyu Umar Gulani was a career civil servant with versed working experience particularly in the field of financial management who met the requirement of the law and found him fit and capable of this appointment to serve as AuditorGeneral of the State in accordance with section 5 of the Yobe State Public Sector Audit Law 2021.

Meanwhile, the house confirmed the appointment of Aisha Haruna Godowoli as permanent member Local government Service Commission as well as Ballama Abdullahi Budu as Permanent Member Teaching Service Board.

Speaking at the plenary, the chairman house committee on public service and government house, Hon. Hassan Muhammed said, the Committee recommended that, Aisha Haruna Godowoli who was a career civil servant with versed working experience particularly in the field of legal profession.

He adds that, until her retirement as Permanent Secretary, Aisha having met the requirement of the law for appointment as Permanent Member based on the Yobe State Local Government Service Commission to complete the tenure of late Alhaji Baba Abare having satisfied the provision of Yobe State local government Law 2001.

The house also recommended and Satisfied with the nomination of Ballama Abdullahi Budu who was a career civil servant with versed working experience in administration and served in different capacities until his retirement as Permanent Secretary having met the requirement of the law of the Yobe State Teaching Service Board (amendment) law 2010.

In presiding over the plenary, the deputy speaker of the House Hon. Isa Bello Danchuwa while confirming the nominees appointment also called on them to work hard to justify the confidence reposed in them towards the development of the state.