of the women who cannot "hold it in"
Jan 21, 2015
first-story
I was reading recently about the plights of women especially in northern nigeria who are plagued by the inability to "hold in"their urine,a condition otherwise known a vesicovaginal fistula(vvf).
Its a really terrible and dehumanizing medical condition which is virtually non existent in the western world but still a threat in our faces.
I also read that the commonest cause of this condition is obstetric.that is,acquired in the process of a difficult labour.
I met a woman who I'll call shayo.she's a 30yr old woman who has just one child but has this terrible condition which has lead to her abandonement by her husband who couldn't stand the fact that his wife was always constantly leaking urine and smelling of it,regardless of the fact that she got this condition after three days of labour and after being improperly managed at the private hospital she was taken to before she was eventually taken to a tertiary hospital.
Thank goodness her child is alive,but she eventually had vvf.
Hers was duly repaired after some time and thus has a chance again at a normal life.But,how about hundreds of other women who haven't been able to access healthcare for this condition,living as outcasts who's urine smell is offensive to all around them?most of them being teenagers who were given out in marriage at 10yrs,11yrs,12yrs!
Let's help them.let's give a voice to their plight!
Thank you.
- Health
- First Story
- Africa
