With little to no knowledge of fistula and its causes, very many women suffer the devastating physical and psychological casues of an occurence that they sometimes don’t understand. Even in this day and age, obstetric fistula continues to afflict the most impoverished women and girls in the developing world, mainly those in rural and remote areas -where a woman is frequently blamed for this condition.
The World Health Organisation records that Obstetric Fistula affects between 50,000 to 100,000 women worldwide each year. In Kenya, two women get Obstetric Fistula per 100 births. This results in 2,400 new cases annually, according to data provided by Amref.
Over 30 women living with Female Genital Fistula including the leaking of urine and stool are expected to receive free surgeries and medical advice during a week-long camp at Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH).
The Fistula camp which will be held until 28th May is part of a partnership between Safaricom Foundation, UNFPA, Flying Doctors Society of Africa, AMREF Health Africa and Beyond Zero Initiative. It comes as the world marks International Day to End Obstetric Fistula (IDEOF) on 23rd May.
Safaricom Foundation in partnership with Flying Doctors Society of Africa, and other partners have been working together to offer free treatment to women with fistula and create awareness about the importance of quality maternal health services.
“This initiative seeks to raise awareness and amplify the plight of women with obstetric fistula, a condition that continues to affect women in sub-Saharan Africa & Asia. As we work towards ending fistula by 2030, we must intensify partnerships to prevent cases from happening while treating those living with fistula, some of whom have had to wait many years to access treatment”, said Joe Ogutu, Safaricom Foundation Chairman.
Over 1,400 women in 7 counties have benefited from previous camps that have been held in Nairobi, Nyeri, Makueni, Kitui, Kisii, Kilifi and Embu.
“The Covid-19 pandemic has strained access to health care services, especially in maternal and reproductive health services. We are grateful to be able to offer this service after a long halt. We, therefore, urge all women who have been suffering in silence during this period to come forward and seek treatment” Ms. Tanya Nduati, CEO of Flying Doctors’ Society of Africa
“Obstetric fistula is a sensitive indicator of the quality of sexual and reproductive health services and a severe assault on the quality of life of those unfortunate to live with a fistula. UNFPA remains committed to supporting the Government of Kenya in all efforts to eliminate obstetric fistula and other maternal morbidities” Dr. Ademola Olajide, UNFPA Representative, Kenya
The World Health Organization has termed fistula as the single most dramatic aftermath of neglected childbirth estimating that more than 2 million women live with fistula worldwide. It is estimated that there are 3,000 new fistula cases in Kenya each year, and only 7.5 per cent of these are able to access medical care. This means that every year, more than 2,700 women with new fistula cases do not receive the necessary medical attention.
