The Federal Government on Tuesday disclosed that Nigeria has the highest incidence of Vesico Vaginal Fistula in the world, with an estimated 400,000 to 800,000 patients.

The government also put the number of new cases of VVF at 20,000 each year, adding that VVF and Recto Vaginal Fistula were serious health problems in the developing world, including Nigeria, where it contributes greatly to the country's unacceptable high maternal mortality.

The Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Zainab Maina, who was represented by the Desk Officer (Fistula Care) in the ministry, Mrs. Mary Isong, said this in Abuja during a symposium organised by the USAID Fistula Care Project.

She said, "Nigeria has one of the highest case loads in the world and they contribute significantly to the country's unacceptable high maternal mortality. It has been estimated that about 400,000 to 800,000 women suffer from fistula in Nigeria, with 20,000 cases added each year."

Maina added that in order to curb the rate, President Goodluck Jonathan has declared that one third of VVF victims must be repaired this year.

Experts say VVF and RVF are devastating medical conditions characterised by an abnormal opening between the vagina and the urinary bladder, as a result of prolonged obstructed labour, among others.

"In many cases, the woman's injured pelvic tissue breaks down, leaving a hole or fistula between the bladder and the vagina, which results in continuous leaking of urine and/or faeces," Maina noted.

In his remarks, the Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu, who was also represented by the Director (Family Health) in the ministry, Dr. Wapada Balami, said within seven years of intervention, the Federal Ministry of Health, in collaboration with USAID Fistula Care, has seen to the repair of over 8,000 women with fistula in the country.

He commended the USAID Fistula Care project, UNFPA and Engender Health for supporting the fistula intervention activities in Nigeria, leading to the expansion of fistula centres in Bauchi, Kwara, Oyo, Ebonyi and Cross River states.

Chukwu urged all political, traditional and religious leaders in the country to partner with government with a view to reducing the determinants of maternal, newborn and child mortality in Nigeria.

He said, "We need to surpass current efforts to ensure that our great country Nigeria remains on track towards actualising the MDG5."

Earlier in her remarks, the USAID Mission Director, Ms. Dana Mansuri, said almost 10,000 women had received fistula surgeries free of cost, with some of the affected women rehabilitated and reintegrated into their communities.

She said since 2007, the American government had committed to partnering with Nigeria to reduce the number of fistula cases and provide care for sufferers.

Mansuri said, "Our efforts have focused on treating and rehabilitating fistula in 10 Nigerian states. We have also concentrated on sensitising and mobilising communities to change attitude and behaviour that lead to fistula.

"Today, millions of Nigerians recognise fistula as a national problem that requires holistic approach and sustained commitment."

According to her, the Fistula Care partnership has also helped the Federal Government to develop and allocate money for fistula care, to a total allocation of about $7m in the 2013 budget