Risk management, Public health matters, risk communication and perspectives on the Sustainable Development Goals(SDGs2030)

Friday 26 August 2016

'DRY' The movie and Vesicovaginal fistula (VVF)



Hello everyone,

With over 2 million women living with obstetric fistula in Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa, I just wanted bring your attention to this epic, emotional, and compelling movie called ‘DRY’. It aptly summarises the fact that we have to take action now. It tells a story of a young doctor, and her dark past as a victim of rape, obstetric fistula, and abandonment. All these were unfortunate circumstances that she did not ask for as a child born into the world innocent.

Turning away from the lead character, the movie goes on to show other women in the village struggling with Vesicovaginal fistula (VVF). The encouraging part in the film was that some sufferers were reporting to the hospitals for repairs and treatments. However, they faced barriers, which included low staffing levels, poorly incentivized workers, and lack of supplies.

Not to give you plenty spoilers from the movie, but several issues and how they tackled the problems, struck a chord.

Issues

  • Children giving birth to babies.
  • Women interestingly attending antenatal classes, but eventually being forced to give birth at home at the onset of labour.
  • The lay villagers don’t know any better than to continue their archaic dangerous practices.
  • Practice of under-age marriage.
  • Lack of facilities and supplies.
  • Lack of education and communication.
  • Folk beliefs and ignorance.

Solutions

  • Mobile clinics to serve hard to reach women in deeply rural areas.
  • Political will, funding and making the lives of women a major priority.
  • International interests and assistance.

A big kudos goes to the director of the movie (Mrs Stephanie Linus). By bringing these issues and solutions to the general public knowledge, it encourages the demystification of the problem of VVF as being a sort of punishment,  a helpless situation, or a consequence of witchcraft. Also, it has brought to the forefront the plight of the underserved young populace in the mostly rural regions of Nigeria.

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