Nollywood actress, Stephanie Okereke’s Extended Hands Foundation, has sponsored the treatment of 50 women living with Vesico-Vaginal Fistula in Kebbi.Fistula is a hole between the vagina and usually the bladders which leads to continuous leakage of urine from the bladder into the vagina and urinary incontinence.The foundation’s Project Manager, Chinedu Omerie, who made the disclosure to journalists in Birnin Kebbi on Wednesday, said the women had been treated successfully.He said the gesture was in line with the actress’ zeal to offer help to vulnerable women including those suffering from VVF.“Stephanie has been passionate about making life bearable for women in the society as some VVF victims are from poor family background; they could not afford to settle their medical bills, considering the fact that some hospitals receives N1.5 million for one victim,’’ he said.Mr. Omerie said the ailment had devastating effects on the health of afflicted women, leading to alteration in the quality of their lives.“Some women may be rejected or abandoned by their spouses and relations and the community at large may ostracize them if the condition becomes protracted,’’ he added.A Consultant on Fistula Care, Sa’ad Idris, who led the VVF treatment team, said some of the women were afflicted by the ailment as a result of prolonged obstructed labour.Mr. Idris urged women to patronise hospitals whenever their labour period was due, saying such would help in reducing VVF related incidences in the state.A treated victim, Hadiza Sani, said she was infected by the fistula five months ago.“I’m living with my husband and five children, but I have never had any fistula until my fifth birth delivery.’’She thanked the foundation for the kind gesture.(NAN)