Hope for fistula patients

By Sylvia Wakhisi

Kenya: More than 200 fistula patients will benefit from free surgical operations to be carried out through a series of medical camps across the country.

The medical camps, organised by the Flying Doctors Society of Africa (FDSA), will ensure women suffering from Obstetric (or Vesico Vaginal) fistula lead a much dignified life.

The first medical camp will be held at Guru Nanak Ramgharia Sikh Hospital in Nairobi and will run from March 22 to 29. About 50 women are expected to benefit. Similar camps in other counties, where the condition is more prevalent, will follow.

“FDSA and indeed Guru Nanak Ramgharia Sikh Hospital are urging women with the condition to come for screening on March 22. Our ultimate goal is to restore dignity among these women and help them lead normal lives,” said FDSA chairman Eunice Kiereini.

Obstetric fistula affects women of all ages and accounts for eight per cent of maternal deaths worldwide. Poor rural women and girls are the worst hit by the devastating condition.

The condition manifests as an abnormal communication between the urinary bladder and vagina, which leads to uncontrolled, continuous leakage of urine and/or faecal matter.

The condition most often occurs as a complication of obstructed labour but can also be caused by radiation, surgical trauma or accidents.