CELINE-DAMILOLA OYEWOLE

First Lady, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, says no woman or girl should suffer from obstetric fistula, describing the condition as both preventable and treatable.

Tinubu stated this in a message issued on Saturday in Abuja to commemorate the 2026 International Day to End Obstetric Fistula.

She joined the global community in reaffirming the commitment to ensuring that no woman or girl suffers from the devastating condition.

Obstetric fistula is a hole between the birth canal and the bladder or rectum caused by prolonged obstructed labour without timely medical intervention, such as Caesarean section.

The condition occurs when the baby’s head cuts off blood supply to surrounding tissues during labour, leading to tissue damage and resulting in permanent and uncontrollable leakage of urine or faeces.

According to the First Lady, the 2026 theme, “Her Health, Her Right: Shaping a Future without Fistula,” serves as a reminder that access to quality maternal healthcare is a fundamental human right.

“Early marriage and early pregnancy remain major causes of obstetric fistula, as a young girl’s body is often not fully developed for childbirth.

“Harmful traditional practices and lack of awareness further limit access to skilled healthcare and vital health information.

“We must act urgently to end child marriage, empower girls through education, and ensure every woman has access to quality healthcare.

“Let us work together to build a future where every birth is safe and no woman loses her life during childbirth,” she said. (NAN)

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