M-pesa Foundation aims to impact 1,000 women living with fistula by the end of the year, Manager, Foundations programmes, Sophiah Onyango has said.
Consequently, Onyango disclosed that the M-pesa Foundation is working on upgrading hospitals and healthcare facilities to better monitor and treat fistula cases promptly hence reducing the prevalence of fistula.
“In cooperating with our partners, government, and communities we intend to break the cycle of female genital fistula. We need to unite to eradicate obstetric fistula and restore hope and dignity to women,” said Onyango in a Press release to the media on Thursday during the Commemoration of International Day to End Obstetric Fistula (IDEOF) held at Makueni County Referral Hospital.
She revealed that in conjunction with the Ministry of health, Makueni County Government, United Nations Fund for Population Activities (UNFPA), JHPIEGO, Flying Doctors Society of Africa and other partners, have invested Sh8.5m that will be used in the free fistula for the next one week to mark the day.
“Over 100 women living with fistula are expected to benefit from the free screening, surgeries and medical advice during the week-long free medical camp at the Makueni County Referral Hospital,” she added.
In health, the Foundation has invested in Uzazi Salama, maternal and newborn health and Daktari Smart, a Telemedicine programme that links and provides treatment to children in six hard-to-reach counties in Kenya.
Through the different programmes they have across the country, they have reached over 3 million people since its inception in 2010.
By Patrick Nyakundi
