FIC Report (Edo State) – The Edo State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), in collaboration with the National Obstetric Fistula Centre, Ugbor, Benin City, has organised a health screening and counselling programme for media practitioners, while also intensifying public sensitisation on Obstetric Fistula and available treatment Services.
The Initiative, held during an Interactive session with Journalists, May 25th, 2026 in Benin City, focused on promoting awareness about Obstetric Fistula and encouraging affected Women to access free Medical care provided by the Federal Government.
Speaking at the event, the Medical Director of the National Obstetric Fistula Centre, Prof. Ileogben Sunday-Adeoye, disclosed that the Federal Government offers completely free treatment for women suffering from obstetric fistula, including surgery, feeding and transportation support.
He explained that the specialised Healthcare Facility was established to provide treatment and rehabilitation for women living with Vesico Vaginal Fistula (VVF) and Recto Vaginal Fistula (RVF), medical conditions that result in the uncontrollable leakage of Urine or Faeces through the Vagina.
According to him, the Centre, located along Ugbor Community Road in Benin City, is the fourth and newest National Obstetric Fistula Facility established by the Federal Government to tackle the increasing burden of Obstetric Fistula across the Country.
Sunday-Adeoye noted that the hospital was strategically established to serve patients from Edo State, the South-South geopolitical zone and neighbouring states.
He stressed that the intervention programme was specifically designed to support indigent women who are unable to afford the high cost of corrective surgery.
“The treatment is completely free, including feeding and transportation. These women are among the poorest of the poor, and the Federal Government made the surgery free because the procedure can ordinarily cost millions of naira,” he stated.
The medical expert further explained that contrary to earlier beliefs that obstetric fistula was predominantly a northern Nigeria problem, recent findings have revealed that the condition is also prevalent in southern parts of the country.
He attributed the condition largely to prolonged obstructed labour, often caused by cephalopelvic disproportion, a situation where the baby’s head is too large to pass through the mother’s pelvis during childbirth.
According to him, failure to carry out timely caesarean section during prolonged labour can result in severe tissue damage, leading to the formation of holes between the bladder, rectum and vagina, thereby causing continuous leakage of urine or faeces.
“What ultimately happens is that the blood supply to the tissues is cut off, leading to tissue death and the formation of holes through which urine or faeces pass uncontrollably into the vagina,” he explained.
Sunday-Adeoye described the condition as physically, emotionally and socially traumatic for victims, noting that many affected women suffer stigma, isolation and loss of dignity.
He identified lack of public awareness as one of the major challenges hindering access to treatment, explaining that many women living with the condition are unaware that free treatment services are available in Benin City.
The Medical Director therefore called for stronger collaboration with journalists and media organisations to help disseminate information about the centre and encourage affected women to seek prompt medical attention.
“The major issue is that people are not aware of the existence of the hospital, where it is located and that the services are free. That is why we are partnering with journalists to spread the message,” he said.
He reaffirmed the commitment of the Federal Government to reducing the burden of obstetric fistula and restoring hope to affected women through accessible and quality Healthcare Services.
By Adu Stella Nneka
SI&PRO, FIC Benin.
May 25th, 2026.
