THE ROLES OF PR IN OBSTETRIC (VVF) IN AKTH KANO

ROLE OF PUBLIC RELATION IN OBSTETRIC FISTULAE (VVF) IN AKTH KANO.
Despite the severe nature of the problem in contributing to the poor state of women’s reproductive health and rights in Kano State., It is surprising that very little is currently being done at the national level and state level to address the problem. The huge international outcry that initially heralded the problem has now abated and there is evidence that there is now waning of enthusiasm to address the problem in a realistic and sustainable manner. To date three approaches for addressing the problem of obstruct fistulas have been advocated through the efforts of public relation in creating much awareness to the general public. The approaches includes the advocacy for the postponement of marriage and sexual relations among very young girls: (2) Increasing women’s access to adequate medical care during labour and delivery, and (3) tertiary prevention through the repair of existing fistulas, it is believes that primary prevention includes promoting women’s education and economic empowerment eliminating cultural and traditional norms that encourage early marriage, promoting best birth practices and encouraging broader aspects of community development.

ADVOCACY OF PUBLIC RELATION AND MAJOR CONSTRAINTS IN RESPECT OF OBSTETRIC FISTULAE IN AKTH, KANO
The repair of existing obstetric fistulae due to lack of the facilities and human resources pose a big constraint despite the advocacy of public. There is also the non accessibility of information and useful skills for the women suffering from the disease. Even in the whole of African only few health institutions have the capacity to undertake repair of fistulae. The repair of obstetric fistualae is the responsibility of obstetricians and Gynaecologists who often undertake the repair through the vaginal route and urologists who undertake the more difficult repairs through the vagin or abdominal route. Apart from the shortage of obstetricians and gynaecologists, only few existing specialists have the experience in undertaking fistula repairs.

Thus as part of efforts to address this problem, fistula repair hospitals, with subsidized services have been established in Nigeria but these have failed to address the problem as these hospitals have the capacity to undertake only a few repairs compared to the large number of existing case loads of obstetric fistulae. Furthermore, these specialised hospitals have mainly been set up by expropriates working to alleviate the problem with little efforts made by the Local Health Community to integrate the repairs and rehabilitation of persons affected by obstetric fistulae in their existing health promotion plans.

THE ROLE OF PUBLIC RELATION IN POLIO ERADICATION IN KANO STATE
Polio disease is associated with swollen of both legs or at times the other areas of the body polio have been common disease in Kano State for a very long period of time.
There is a strong belief by the people in Kano State that administering of polio vaccine on them is aimed at reducing their population through birth control. About three years ago the government of Kano State vehemently opposed the administering of the vaccine on the children. It took the intervention of public relation managers to address the issue by organising a public enlightens through radio advertisement and television.
Also, various meetings was organised between the stakeholders such as the ministry of health, government representations, council of ulamas, the traditional institutions e.g. village heads and district head.
Again, house to house campaign was being embarked upon to educate people on the need to take the polio vaccines.
In spite of the role being played by public relation in respect of the disease there are still recorded cases of polio in the state mostly in many local government of the state and villages surrounding the area.