Dr. Kelechi Ohiri, Director-General of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), has revealed that approximately 13,000 women in Nigeria develop obstetric fistula each year.
Dr. Ohiri highlighted a significant backlog of unrepaired cases, estimating it could take up to 83 years to resolve without intervention.
During the launch of the NHIA Fistula-Free Intervention and the inauguration of its Steering Committee by the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Mohammed Ali Pate, in Abuja on Tuesday, Dr. Ohiri noted that Nigeria accounts for 7.5 percent of the global two million people living with unrepaired obstetric fistula.
He stated, “Globally, roughly two million people live with unrepaired obstetric fistula. Roughly, one million are in developing countries and about 100,000 affected by offsetting slavery. Here in Nigeria, we account for about 7.5 percent of that number.”
Obstetric fistula is a severe childbirth complication resulting in an abnormal hole between the bladder and vagina, causing continuous, uncontrollable leakage of urine. Dr. Ohiri emphasized that the NHIA’s role, through the vulnerable group fund, is to make definitive care treatments for these women affordable, thereby reducing both physical and financial pain. This intervention aligns with NHIA’s focus on equity.
The NHIA’s initial phase of intervention will begin with the National Obstetric Fistula Centres in Katsina, Bauchi, Ebonyi, and Edo. Dr. Ohiri outlined plans to expand the program to other hospitals that provide fistula care. He also stressed the importance of enrolling these women into a social health insurance program to ensure sustainable outcomes.
Prof. Pate praised the NHIA for its efforts to make care for women suffering from childbirth-related fistula more affordable. He underscored the country’s significant burden of maternal morbidity and mortality, highlighting the plight of many young women and adolescents who suffer from complications during childbirth, often resulting in fistula and subsequent neglect.
