NAN – Dr Rilwanu Mohammed, the Executive Secretary, FCT Primary Health Care Board, on Friday, February 6, 2015 warned that female genital cutting could be a major cause of Vesico Vaginal Fistula (VVF).
Mohammed told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja at the sidelines of this year’s International Day of Zero Tolerance to Female Genital Mutilation (FGM).
He said often times the procedure have a severe effect on the patient’s emotional well-being.
According to him, VVF is an abnormal fistulous tract extending between the bladder and the vagina that allows the continuous involuntary discharge of urine into the vaginal vault.
He said that FGM, which is also known as female circumcision, is of four types.
“Type I is the removal of the clitoral hood or the complete or partial removal of the clitoral glands and clitoral hood.
“Type II is the complete or partial removal of the inner labia, with or without removal of the clitoral glands and outer labia.
“Type III is the removal of the external genitalia and the fusion of the wound sometimes the removal and closure of the inner labia and the outer labia.’’
He said type IV was defined as harmful procedures to the female genitalia for non-medical purposes, adding that it involves the pricking, piercing, incising, scraping and cauterisation.
Mohammed, who decried the practice, said that young girls are subjected to circumcision to “reduce sexual desires in order to curtail promiscuity and promote virginity before marriage”.
He gave other reasons to include promoting social integration and initiation of girls into womanhood.
“Female circumcision is a social problem like HIV. It makes a woman feel inferior and incomplete,” he said.
“Already, the board had embarked on public enlightenment to discourage the procedure in the country as it is practice but not as common.
“Religious and traditional leaders have being educated on the dangers of female circumcision and we are sure this will help in bringing an end to female circumcision,” he said.
Mohammed, however, called on government to review the National Policy and Plan of Action on the elimination of FGM in Nigeria to be in line with global development.
