14 Women undergo fistula surgery in NB
Nkhata Bay District has successfully hosted the first fistula camp in the Northern Region, with 14 women successfully undergoing surgery.
A 10-day camp in the district, which ended on June 30, was held at Chintheche Rural Hospital with financial and technical support from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).
The district’s reproductive health focal person Austine Mwafulirwa confirmed the success story.
“We usually conduct two tests before we release them; the first post-surgery tests we conducted on all the 14 clients have proven successful” said Mwafulirwa.
District health officer Albert Mkandawire urged communities to change their perception towards fistula, saying “some communities still believe fistula is a curse, while others will tell you it is connected to witch craft”.
“This puts those in such conditions in danger and continue face the stigma,” said Mkandawire.
Meanwhile, Mkandawire disclosed that the district plans to hold a similar camp in October this year.
Throughout the camp period, UNFPA hired a renowned surgeon and lecture at Malawi College of Health Sciences, Alex Sembo, to lead the medical procedures.
Fistula is an abnormal connection between an organ and vessel mostly caused by prolonged obstructed labour.
