The federal government in partnership with the Cross River State government has launched a three-week intensive training, to strengthen care for obstetric fistula across the South-South Region.
Doctors and Nurses from Cross River, Akwa Ibom and Ebonyi are attending the workshop, as part of a wider push to equip health centres and revitalise the state’s fistula services.
For many women in rural communities, obstetric fistula remains a silent burden — cutting short their dignity and leaving them in need of specialised care. To change that story, health workers from Cross River, Akwa Ibom, and Ebonyi have converged on Calabar for a three-week intensive training on how best to manage the condition.
The capacity-building programme, supported by the Federal Government in collaboration with regional partners, is equipping doctors and nurses with practical skills to detect fistula early, perform surgical interventions, and provide rehabilitation for affected women.
In Cross River, three fistula centres exist, one in each senatorial district.
But with only the Calabar facility currently functional, state authorities are seeking to revitalise the others while strengthening primary healthcare centres to prevent more cases.
Participants say the hands-on sessions have broadened their knowledge and sharpened their skills, giving them renewed confidence to tackle fistula cases in their communities.
With the new expertise gained, stakeholders believe the state is on track to reduce fistula cases and provide stronger maternal health services across the South-South region.
(Editor: Nkoli Omhoudu)
