A team of surgeons led by Dr. Musa Kayondo, a renowned urogynecology expert and Head of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital, has successfully operated on 40 women. According to Halson Kagure, the Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital Public Relations Officer, the fistula camp was part of the hospital’s initiative to reduce the case backlog and improve the well-being of fistula patients.
The camp, which concluded on Friday, attracted patients from across and beyond the region. Dr. Kayondo explained that fistula is a debilitating condition that occurs when an expectant mother experiences obstructed labor, causing the baby to become trapped in the birth canal. This leads to the mother leaking urine or stool uncontrollably.
Dr. Kayondo noted that obstetric fistula is prevalent among teenage pregnant mothers and those with a narrow birth canal, who are unable to push out the baby effectively. According to the Ministry of Health, 25% of Ugandan teenagers become pregnant by the age of 19, making them vulnerable to the condition, which affects approximately 200,000 women.
Symptoms of fistula may include uncontrolled leakage of urine or stool, frequent urination, pain or discomfort in the pelvic area, recurrent infections, and emotional distress or social isolation due to the stigma associated with the condition.
Despite the high burden, Dr. Kayondo explained that the hospital conducts quarterly fistula camps, where an average of 50 patients receive free treatment, including food and transport refunds. The hospital has been supported by the Ministry of Health and partners like USAID Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital Strengthening Activity to improve reproductive and maternal healthcare.
Lilian Tusingwire, the In-charge of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital, reported that out of the 40 mothers who underwent successful operations, including children, 10 patients were awaiting discharge by press time. She assured that medics would continue to follow up on the discharged patients.
Most of the mothers, according to Kagure, come from outside the hospital’s catchment area, which comprises 13 districts. Kagure emphasized that the hospital is committed to providing quality services and improving the well-being of fistula patients. A visit to the hospital’s Obstetrics and Gynecology center is met with joyful caretakers, whose patients have undergone successful operations. One is a mother from Bushenyi district, whose 10-year-old daughter suffered a traumatic injury to her private parts after falling off a chair. She endured uncontrollable urine leakage until Thursday, when Dr. Kayondo’s team operated on her, bringing relief. She says she will now spend Christmas without worries.
Some of the mothers we talked to expressed happiness, adding that they had all along been worried about the source of funds to cover the medical bills. However, they were managed for free on top of food and transport facilitation.
Dr. Deus Twesigye, Acting Hospital Director, noted that fistula makes women social outcasts and contributes to poverty. He emphasized that obstetric fistula is a public health concern, with Uganda recording approximately 1,900 new cases annually.
Dr. Twesigye, also a Senior Consultant General Surgeon, commended the support rendered by the Ministry of Health and partners like USAID through the USAID Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital Strengthening Activity. He noted that the team has been conducting countrywide fistula camps at selected health facilities to build capacity.
The hospital’s program like Comprehensive Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care (CEmONC) aims to empower healthcare workers to identify, monitor, and refer patients to the referral hospital for further management.
Healthcare experts advised mothers to seek medical attention early to avoid prolonged labor, which is detrimental to both the mother and the unborn baby.
