Women suffering from fistula in Garissa County have been encouraged to come out and seek treatment free of charge at the Garissa County Referral Hospital.
The treatment is being sponsored by the Department of Health in partnership with the Fistula Foundation.
Female Genital Fistula is a condition where women leak urine and stool after giving birth. It is a common occurrence when a mother undergoes prolonged and obstructed labour.
Another cause of Fistula especially in the north eastern region is FGM.
So far, over 200 women from Garissa and neighbouring counties have benefitted from screening. 87 of them have got high quality surgery repair and post-operative care.
Acting Garissa Referral Hospital CEO Dr. Hawa Bakari called on residents with family members suffering from this condition to bring them to the facility to receive corrective treatment.
The average cost of reconstructive surgery to correct obstetric fistula in a public hospital is Sh60, 000 which is unaffordable to many.
Dr. Hawa said with the assistance of Fistula Foundation, the hospital was now a routine fistula repair facility catering for all suffering patients.
Acting Health Chief Officer Mohamed Salat and Fatuma Iman, the County Reproductive Health Coordinator also called on women suffering from the condition to come out and seek treatment at the referral hospital adding that they should not be suffering in shame while the condition was treatable.
“It is encouraging that hundreds of women have been screened so far with many benefitting from free fistula treatment. We are aiming to transform lives on the maternal health front. I would like to urge women who are suffering from fistula to come forward and receive treatment,” Salat said.
“We are urging those who are confined in their houses to come out and receive treatment. Fistula is not a shame. Our mission is to empower women by letting them enjoy a quality and dignified life in the society,” Fatuma added.
Gynecologist Dr. Lado Ismail said his department was ready and equipped to handle all cases noting the Fistula Foundation had supported the training of two surgeons at the hospital to do the fistula repair surgeries as well as training four nurses to work and assist the doctors.
By Grace Kamau
