The Garissa County Governor’s wife, Fardowsa Osman has appealed to area residents to say “no” to early marriages, FGM and all retrogressive cultural practices.
Fardowsa was speaking on Sunday at the Garissa referral hospital when she visited 23 women with fistula problems.
The women are admitted at the facility after undergoing surgery following a 5 day free fistula camp sponsored by Fountain of Hope, an initiative of Governor’s wife, County Department of Health, Amref Africa and Global One.
Fardowsa said early marriages and FGM were part of the wider causes of fistula that inflict pain and trauma to the
affected women.
She wished quick recovery to the patients and urged them to take back the message of the successful free treatment to affected mothers who have no access to medical facilities.
“The programme comes twice a year and we expect many who are affected but are still living in pain to benefit from the next medical camp”, Fardowsa said.
She thanked the medical team for their tireless effort during the camp where a total of 93 mothers were screened and medics led by a General Surgeon, Dr. Ernest Amos Siwo were able to put almost 20 patients under surgery while others were screened, treated and discharged.
The first lady appealed to all stakeholders to focus more on preventive measures by educating the local community on fistula to avoid costly medical expense.
The Garissa County Chief Officer for Health, Isnino Rage said the five 5 fistula camp programme also entails free treatment and social support programme for the affected mothers.
”Most of the affected mothers feel despised and neglected due to the waste discharge forcing them to go under a self-imposed house arrest,” Rage said.
She said those who are treated feel their dignity had been restored.
The Chief Officer said trained midwives need more training especially on how to check for obstructed labour that mainly causes fistula.
By Jacob Songok
