As the world marked obstetric fistula day whose theme was ‘overcoming barriers to provide more treatment,’ obstetric fistula survivors in Kisii came out in large numbers to create awareness on the need to eliminate fistula which remains a significant public health issue in African countries.
Lilian Moraa, a survivor while narrating her journey towards recovery said, she developed obstetric fistula when she gave birth to her second born without knowing her condition, saying she took it lightly like a tear while giving birth and she was optimistic she will recover in three day’s time.
“After I was discharged, the condition worsened oozing of blood from my birth canal increased, I also discovered I couldn’t control my short and long calls,” Moraa said.
Roseline Mongare another survivor said, she developed fistula while giving birth to her last born son. She came to discover this after was discharged, she couldn’t control her short call.
Obstetric Fistula (OF) is a devastating childbirth related disability affecting mainly poor women in low resource regions. Often, women develop this delibatating condition as a result of poor management or lack of management during labour. The women are ostracized by their families and communities due to the resultant smell from dribbling urine and/ or leakage of stool. Though the prevalence of obstetric fistula is estimated that two million women in sub-sharan Africa and Asia live with this condition and this number grows by 50,000 to 100,000 each year (World Health Organization, 2018)
Most women who suffer from fistula have been deprived of their social lives, and suffer physical and psychological pain as well as social stigma and exclusion. As the world marks fistula day, efforts towards creating awareness will ensure women in low-income areas have knowledge on where to get treatment. At the moment Kenya has a shortage of Fistula surgeons, leading to a backlog of patients.
VIVA AFRICA has been at the forefront of advocating for, coordinating, and implementing Obstetric Fistula prevention and management efforts in Kenya. We work with different stakeholders stakeholders in partnership with ministry of health(MoH) to ensure holistic approach in our approach in our prevention and treatment efforts.
Kisii county Director of Medical services Matiko Giyabe said they have worked closely with gynecologists and nurses in healthcare facilities to ensure women developing this condition are attended in time.
VIVA AFRICA founder Dennis Orengo said they have conducted free medical camps and call out women with the condition to restore dignity.
Reuben Onyango, a gynecologist stated that this condition often results from prolonged or obstructed labor without timely medical medical intervention, leading to a hole between the birth canal and either the bladder or rectum. Seeking medical treatment early enough and preventing prolonged labor during child birth can prevent obstetric fistula.
