When Childbirth Puts Woman’s Life In Danger
“I came here because my bladder busted when I went to deliver my baby many years ago and since then my health condition has not remain the same due to pains and discomfort l go through on a daily basis.” These were the words of Lucia Ofoegbu, 63, from Anambra State. Lucia is among the women who were recently treated of Vesico Vagina Fistula (VVF ) at the National Obstetrics Fistula hospital Abakaliki, Ebonyi State. Lucia said she was thrown out of her matrimonial home, because she came down with VVF, 50 years ago, following a ruptured bladder. In this story which will bring tears to most eyes, Lucia in an emotion-laden voice, which contrasts with the joy she now feels, told a team of health reporters on a facility visit to the hospital, the first National VVF hospital in the country, that the condition took away her pride. The facility visit was part of a three-day training for health reporters, sponsored by Engender health, an international non-governmental org