VVF Program
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Because of the practice of early marriage in Nigeria, when young girls get pregnant and are ready to deliver, their pelvis is so small they can't deliver the baby. The baby gets stuck in the birth canal and dies. The baby's head wears a hole between the birth canal and the bladder or rectum. So, when the dead baby is eventually delivered, the girl is left with a dead child and she is draining urine and/or stool continuously. She develops sores on her skin and smells horribly from the constant flow of urine and stool on her clothes. The condition is called vesicovaginal fistula or VVF.
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Understandably many of these girls are rejected by their husbands and family because of their odor and inability to have additional children. In many parts of Africa, a woman's worth is based in her ability to have children. An infertile woman is viewed as useless in the family and culture. Some turn to begging and prostitution. It is estimated there are over 200,000 women in Northern Nigeria suffering with this problem. |
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For many years surgeons at Evangel Hospital have been performing surgery to help these desperate women. In 1992 Dr. Steve Arrowsmith began a multidisciplinary approach to help these patients. Female chaplains were brought in to provide counseling and evangelism. Many VVF women, though they are from Moslem backgrounds, have responded to the Gospel message presented through the witness of the chaplains, hospital staff and use of the JESUS film. Coming from lives of rejection and ridicule, VVF patients for the first time in their lives were lovingly and unconditionally accepted and cared for by the Evangel staff. |
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The VVF Project at Evangel Hospital is coordinated by Dr. Jonathan Karshima, a Nigerian board certified obstetrician and gynecologist. The VVF team includes several other VVF surgeons, nurses, literacy and vocational training instructors and counselor/chaplains. A 20 bed VVF Ward and 30 bed Hostel were opened in 1999 and is helping to provide specialized services to the VVF patients.
In addition to the ongoing rehabilitation programs at Evangel Hospital to help these women, every year a VVF Reunion is held. All former patients are invited to attend a weekend long program which includes a health and counseling checkup, vocational training and a grand celebration. |
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In 2001, 820 women were attended to in the program and 587 surgical procedures were performed. Although some require multiple procedures before they are "dry," the majority return home cured of their vvf.
Indeed, these women are "an unreached people group," hidden in the back rooms of thousands of compounds in Nigeria. Suffering rejection and loneliness, they risk leaving their families and come to a Christian hospital where they are surrounded by love and concern. Those who meet the Savior and return to their homes are brave messengers to very dark corners of God's unharvested vineyard. Pray with us for more fruit from this exciting ministry.
See the Christianity Today article, Hope for the Living Dead (Dec 2005) about Evangel Hospital's VVF program and the issue of VVF in general. |
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Last Updated ( Thursday, 29 December 2005 )
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