The National Obstetric Fistula Centre (NOF), Abakaliki, on Wednesday, discharged 15 fistula patients after successful surgery and now repaired.

The Consultant Gynecologist at the centre, Dr Kenneth Ekwidigwe, made this known during the release of the patients.

Ekwidigwe charged the patients to abstain from sexual intercourse for at least six months, to prevent complications associated with fistula repairs.

He said that the patients repaired cut across South-East and South-South geo-political zones of the country.

According to him, a surgical operation is a challenge at the centre and more expertise are needed.

He called on pregnant women to always patronise qualified healthcare centres and thanked God for the successful repairs.

The Head, Clinical Services at the centre, Dr Babafemi Daniyan, expressed satisfaction over the successful repairs.

Daniyan also thanked God for the lives of the women, saying that they could socialise again.

He advised them to go for family planning for total healing.

Meanwhile, wife of the state Governor, Mrs Rachael Umahi, while presenting financial support to the patients, encouraged them to adhere to instructions given to them by the experts.

The governor’s wife, who was represented by Chukwuma Elom, the Coordinator of Family Succor and Upliftment Foundation, her pet project, urged women with such challenge to make themselves available for repair at the centre.

She called on traditional rulers and other community leaders to identify and report people with such problem for repair.

Mrs Salome Ezeugwu from Enugu State and Rose Ada from Cross River commended the medical teams for support during their stay at the facility.

They also thanked the governor’s wife for the support given to them.