Let’s talk about this ‘animal’ Fistula

One of the machines donated by the Fistula Foundation to be used for corrective surgeries at the Kisumu East District Hospital, Fistula Treatment Center 

Also known as Obstetric Fistula is an abnormal opening between a woman’s birth canal and the bladder, which leads to women leaking of urine. This condition is common in the rural and maginalized parts of Kenya, where the majority of women deliver at home. This is worsened by the fact that, this women give birth without a skilled birth attendant and far from any emergency obstetric care facilities. The prolonged labour in most situations leads to Obstetric Fistula.
Those who experience Obstetric Fistula suffer from constant social segregation including their husbands leaving them, incontinence, shame and health problems. Despite the high prevalence rates of fistula in the country, many women tend to suffer in silence as they are not aware the condition has a cure rate of more than 90 per cent. However, with the free ante-natal and maternity services, the numbers are expected to drop because of accessibility to maternal services.

It is estimated that more than two million women live with fistula worldwide with new cases in Kenya estimated to be about 3,000 each year with only 7.5 per cent able to access medical care for the condition. From every woman who dies from pregnancy related complications, 20 women survive but experience terrible injuries and disabilities. Further, it is estimated the occurrence stands at three to four women for every 1,000 deliveries.
From June, 2017, Kenyatta National Hospital, the Safaricom Foundation, the Freedom from Fistula Foundation and Flying Doctors Society of Africa launched a Sh12 million campaign targeting some 200 Kenyan women living with obstetric fistula for free surgeries in a series of medical camps across the country.
The Freedom from Fistula Foundation in conjunction with Action on Fistula have been providing funds since 2014 to support in: Fistula surgeries, Surgeon training, community outreach and reintegration support.
There are several Fistula Treatment centres where women facing the condition can seek help and treatment: 
·         Kenyatta National Hospital
·         St. Mary’s Hospital, Nairobi
·         Cherangany Nursing Home, Kitale
·         Kisumu East District Hospital, Kisumu
·         Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH; formerly known as Nyanza Provincial General Hospital), Kisumu
·         Dadaab refugee camp, Dadaab
·         Gynocare Fistula Centre, Eldoret
·         Disciples of Mercy, Kisumu
·         Daraja Mbili Vision Volunteers, Kisii
·         Jamaa Mission Hospital, Nairobi
·         Wamba Catholic Hospital, Samburu
·         Bomu Hospital, Mombasa
·         Isiolo Development Project, Isiolo
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