Chibok Girls...What Is Their Health Status?

Kidnapping is a menace in our present day society and although it is not an act Nigeria is proud of as a nation, several measures have been taken to cut out this virus from our country permanently. This human rights violation keeps rising by the day and has even spread to our secondary institutions causing environmental unrest in the school system to both the young students and the school teachers. This issue has become a cause for concern in Nigeria as a nation, and to our neighboring countries in West Africa such as Niger, Benin, Chad and Cameroun.

Just recently, its wings spread to Asia, Europe and even America raising even more concern as about 200 teenage girls were kidnapped from a secondary school in Chibok, a small town in Borno state, the North eastern part of Nigeria. This was done by a sect known as the boko haram which abhor western education especially for girls, stating they should get married instead of going to school. This mishap has gone viral in the past one month, with several Nigerian and international dignitaries airing their view about the human right and gender violation act. The press and social media platform has also lent their voice with the harsh tag #bringbackourgirls which attracted the attention of both Government of other countries and international celebrities. Thousands of concerned Nigerians have taken to the streets on protest in Nigeria and residents of other countries of the world seeking international help and actions.

Many Health organizations in and outside Nigeria, have raised an alarm on the health implications of letting the girls stay longer than they already have. This is because of the physical, social and mental/psychological health implications associated with kidnapping, especially a vulnerable group of young girls. These young girls have since been exposed to harsh weather conditions and other physical maltreatment including abuse and some other health conditions like...

ü Rape

ü Unplanned pregnancy

ü HIV and other sexually transmitted infections

ü Unsafe abortion

ü Early Motherhood

ü Visco vaginal fistula

ü Recto Vaginal Fistula

ü Shock

ü Psychological Trauma

ü Hallucinations

ü Bed Wetting

ü Nightmares

ü Genophobia

ü Sexual dysfunction

ü Low self esteem

ü Low self gratification

ü Violent behaviours

ü Urinary tract infection (UTI)

ü Pelvic Inflammatory diseases (PID)

ü Unwanted Media exposure

ü Pneumonia

ü Extreme introverted behaviours

ü Exposure to reptiles such as snakes and other creeping animals

ü Poor personal hygiene

ü Harsh weather conditions

ü Starvation

ü insecurity

ü Dehydration

ü Malaria

ü Typhoid

ü Meningitis

ü Tuberculosis

ü Social stigmatisation

ü Poor mental health

ü Poor patriotism

ü Fear

ü Anxiety

ü Prolonged unhappiness

ü Panic attacks

ü Poor health condition as a result of prolonged untreated illnesses



It should be noted that all these and many more unmentioned health conditions could arise a result of not taking care of these girls and the absence of a doctor’s attention. The Chibok girls have been through so much and will be needing proper medical attention, therapy and counselling once they have been released. They are young girls; young minds that must be saved from the entire trauma associated with what they have been through and all hands must be on deck to get this done. Their human rights have been violated and their gender sensitivity has been scattered, therefore all the doctors, counsellors, psychologist and all the people who work with Nigerian youths must get ready for the task ahead.