Fistula is one of the neglected conditions that continue to affect vulnerable women exposed to poverty and who tend to suffer in silence as opposed to seeking the necessary medical attention.
According to Dr Godfray Omire, an Obstetrician Gynecologist at the Migori County Referral Hospital, the reason why there is no actual fistula statistics is because the health around fistula is majorly provided by well-wishers.
He says that a fistula occurs when there is an abnormal communication between two body systems; the urinal and the digestive systems.
Dr Omire also notes that men also suffer from fistula although the condition is always rare and uncommon. The fistula condition in men can be from the urinal system to the skin (surface of the body), however, he adds that men tend to seek medical attention compared to women.
“Women tend to hide the condition because of feeling ashamed while others have the fear of disclosing the inhumane acts like defilement and Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) that make them frustrated subjecting women to suffer in silent”, explains Dr Omire.
The Obstetrician Gynecologist says that the cut exercised through FGM, especially from the Kuria Community in Migori may be uncontrolled and deep and may result in injuries that later develop to fistula.
He noted that fistula can also occur through accidents, especially to the birth canal or trauma that may be caused by the psychological state or health complication problems that can extend to the urinal system.
The recently concluded September-October 2024 free annual fistula screening that was conducted by the Mpesa Foundation and the AMREF in Migori County saw a total of 1,000 women screened in the county whereby 110 of these women underwent reconstructive surgery.
The free medical fistula camp also received patients from Kisumu, Nyamira, Siaya and as far as Muranga County emphasizing the importance of these free fistula medical camps in the country.
Dr Omire further disclosed that the major challenge in fistula treatment is the lack of enough Obstetrician gynecologists specialists. He said that various types of fistula require different types of skilled gynecologists to perform complex fistula surgeries.
“For a successful fistula repair, the procedure needs to be done well at the first trial by the right gynecologist presided by good planning”, explained Dr Omire.
He called upon women suffering from fistula in Migori County to seek the nearest help that is always available either through the regular camps, permanent camps or annual camps.
“We have regular free fistula screening camps at the Vihiga County Referral Hospital in Vihiga County and the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Referral Hospital in Kisumu County. We also have the permanent free screening at the Gynocare Women’ s and Fistula Hospital supported by Fistula Foundation in Eldoret town- Uasin Gishu County where patients are treated daily”, affirmed Dr Omire.
By Geoffrey Makokha
