At least 18 women and girls living with various forms of obstetric fistula have successfully undergone free corrective surgeries at the Kogi State Specialist Hospital in Lokoja through a joint healthcare intervention initiative.
The hospital’s Chief Medical Director, Dr Oluseyi Bamidele Folagbade, disclosed this during an interview, describing the programme as a transformative opportunity for patients who had lived with the condition for many years.
Obstetric fistula, including Vesico-Vaginal Fistula (VVF), is a serious medical condition characterised by an abnormal connection between the bladder and the vagina or the rectum and the vagina. The condition is often caused by prolonged obstructed labour, complications arising from unsafe Caesarean sections, or certain birth defects.
The free surgical outreach was organised by the Sustainable Family Healthcare Foundation and the Fistula Foundation in partnership with the Kogi State Ministry of Health.
According to Dr Folagbade, the intervention has provided much-needed relief for indigent women who are unable to afford treatment. He assured residents of Kogi State and neighbouring communities that similar programmes would continue as part of efforts to expand access to quality healthcare services.
He also praised Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo for fostering an environment that enables healthcare professionals and development partners to deliver effective medical care across the state.
Speaking on the success of the programme, the State Focal Person for the Sustainable Family Healthcare Foundation and Fistula Foundation, Comrade Francis Eneojo Obaje, expressed appreciation to the Kogi State Government, partner organisations, and the medical team led by Dr Idris Saad and Dr (Mrs) Halima Bello, alongside other healthcare workers who contributed to the exercise.
Obaje encouraged women affected by obstetric fistula to seek treatment at accredited healthcare facilities rather than depending on traditional methods that may worsen their condition.
Some beneficiaries, including Janet Alexander and Victoria Bunde, thanked the organisers for bringing the initiative to Kogi State, saying the surgeries had restored their confidence, dignity and hope for a better future.
The second phase of the free obstetric fistula repair programme took place at the Kogi State Specialist Hospital, Lokoja, from June 15 to June 18, 2026.
