A USAID-funded project, Momentum Safe Surgery, operated in five Nigerian states (Bauchi, Ebonyi, Kebbi, Sokoto, and FCT) from 2021 to 2024, and successfully treated over 1,566 women with Vesicovaginal Fistula, improving their access to quality healthcare services in family planning and obstetrics.

Under this project, more than 350 healthcare professionals in 48 hospitals were trained to handle fistula cases, leading to a successful rate of 81% in fistula surgeries.

These details were shared by Suegatha Kai Rennie, the Director of Health Population and Nutrition at the USAID Mission in Nigeria, at a National Project Dissemination meeting in Abuja on Tuesday.

She highlighted that the project “improved access and use of evidence-based, quality maternal, newborn and child health in the five supported states, through a model that will ensure long-lasting impact.

“Throughout the project, more than 350 health workers across 48 hospitals were trained in multi-disciplinary approaches to fistula care, benefiting over 1,566 fistula clients. The success rate of fistula surgeries reached 81%, and the number of clients receiving rehabilitative and reintegration care doubled.

“In addition, the project trained over 60 health workers on managing FGM/C complications, expanding access to care for affected women and girls. Social and Behaviour Change (SBC) activities reached over 1.2 million people with crucial messages on fistula, FGM/C, and safe surgery.”

“The project focused on increasing the capacity of Nigerian institutions and local organizations to deliver high-quality prevention and treatment of fistula, prevent Female Genital Mutilation and Cutting, and mitigate adverse obstetric impacts among women who have experienced FGM/C”, she noted.

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) praised the Ministry of Health for its efforts in increasing awareness about fistula in the country, particularly through the establishment of a dedicated Fistula subcommittee within the National Reproductive Health Technical Working Group.

“Other notable achievements include the co-funding of sensitization programs for fistula desk officers nationwide, the development of a comprehensive fistula and cesarean section dashboard on the national Health Management Information System (HMIS), and the piloting of a fistula patient tracker to ensure comprehensive care for women.

“These interventions have provided valuable insights into the drivers of fistula and established a strong foundation for allocating more resources to eliminate fistula and ensure safe childbirth for all women in Nigeria”, the statement emphasized.