By Mwenda Njeru
Several women who have been suffering from fistula have breathed a sigh of relief following successful surgery at Chuka County Referral Hospital.
Tharaka Nithi County Government is having a free fistula medical camp that started on Friday last week and running up to end of the month in collaboration with several partners including M-Pesa Foundation.
Speaking at the hospital, County Health Department Executive, Dr Gichuyia Nthuraku said the devolved government has been organizing free medical camps for fistula to not only treat but also eradicate the stigma associated with the health complication.
Fistula complications are mainly a result of prolonged labour pain and women and girls in the society face stigma resulting in suffering silently.
“We are having a medical camp for fistula at our Chuka County Referral Hospital which started on 18th this month and will end on 30th and our services are completely free because we want to restore dignity to our mothers,” said Dr Nthuraku.
Dr Nthuraku pointed out the need for government and non-governmental organisations to join hands to achieve the target of having a fistula-free Kenya by 2030.
He also encouraged women to embrace delivering in hospitals where they are handled by professional medics.
According to the World Health Organisation, more than two million women live with fistula worldwide and at least 30,000 cases are recorded in Kenya every year out of which only 7.5 percent of the women are able to access medical care leaving the rest, about 2700 suffering.
Physically, women living with fistula complication develop rashes and painful sores around the vaginal area, may have difficulty walking and a range of other physical ailments, including frequent infections, kidney diseases and sometimes infertility.
The victims of this health condition suffer psychological traumas, distress, depression and grievance resulting from loss of baby, anxiety, loss of self-worth and other mental health complications.
In the year 2022, a total of 50 women successfully underwent surgery and medical advice for fistula at the same hospital during a one-week free medical camp organized by the county government in collaboration with Beyond Zero, M-Pesa Foundation, UNFPA, Amref, Flying Doctors Society of Africa and Ministry of Health.
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About the Author
I thank them very much for the fistula surgery they offered me