Webuye, Bungoma County. As the world marked the International Day of Ending Obstetric Fistula (IDEOF) on 23rd May 2023, partners convened by the Ministry of Health, were hosted by the Governor, Kenneth Lusaka and the Governor’s Spouse Dr. Margaret Makelo, to mark this important day at Webuye County Hospital in Bungoma County.
Obstetric Fistula affects women who lack access to quality, safe and timely obstetric care. Its prevalence is also seen among women living in communities whose cultural practices encourage early marriage and female genital mutilation (FGM); both factors increase the risk of prolonged obstructed labour.
While Kenya has intensified efforts to end obstetric fistula, a lot more needs to be done to end obstetric fistula by 2030.
To commemorate IDEOF, Beyond Zero in partnership with the County Government of Bungoma, UNFPA, AMREF, Flying Doctors and MPESA Foundation demonstrated commitment to restoring the dignity of women through a one week free fistula camp at the Webuye County Hospital; and ensuring that maternal and child health remains at the forefront of primary healthcare.
As a precursor to the event, awareness and public education messages were disseminated during the week, through SMS messages and local media, to encourage women living with the condition to seek treatment through surgical repairs.
This was how 40year old Brenda Khaemba from Kiminini, a small town located in Bungoma County, heard about the Obstetric Fistula outreach offering free screening, surgical repairs and treatment being conducted at Webuye County Hospital grounds.
A mother of three children ages 15year, 9years and 3years, Brenda narrated how for three years she has lived with this humiliating condition of obstetric fistula. Her sad journey with this condition started in 2020, whilst delivering her last-born child. She said, “It was a very long and difficult labour that took place at the Cottage Hospital in Kiminini. When I went home after delivering my baby; I did not know what was happening to me. I assumed my condition of uncontrolled passing of urine was a result of the difficult childbirth”. She went on to describe her pain. “I was too ashamed to seek help”. She recalls how the light she had in her life had been covered by a dark cloud. She felt alone; no longer could she join her women friends in the market or visit their homes. She feared travelling or venturing away from the safety of a private place to take care of herself in case of a leakage accident. She never shared her plight; because she believed no-one cared.
But Brenda’s destiny changed. Her hope, peace and dignity has been restored. She is looking forward to returning home to share the news of how God has answered her prayers. So grateful is she for her change in destiny; because she knew that should could never have afforded the treatment using her own resources. “The cost of surgery is extremely high”. Brenda has committed to become a true champion for the cause; so that many more women with the condition will come out and have their dignity restored.
These were similar words of touching testimonies shared from the eleven women admitted this morning into hospital awaiting treatment and surgical repairs. “Shame, despair, loss of hope and fear were echoes of what used to be; for some over twenty years of suffering. Today, these elated women, some already in recovery, were speaking words of disbelief, anticipation and hope, for a change in their life’s circumstances. Women as old as 87 years were beneficiaries of the free Obstetric Fistula outreach that is taking place from 19th – 26th May 2023.
Beyond Zero, started its advocacy and investment in prioritizing obstetric fistula as a maternal health concern, in 2018, through the Beyond Zero Medical Safari. These were held in Narok, Kisumu, West Pokot, Nairobi, Kajiado, and Tharaka Nithi counties. Free fistula camps have been conducted in collaboration with national and county governments; along with long term partnership with Airtel, AMREF, UNFPA, Flying Doctors Society of Africa – these timely and much needed free fistula camps seek to help women who have suffered in silence due to shame, stigma, social exclusion resulting to broken marriages and families.
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