Thousands of Ugandan women suffer silently with debilitating birth-related injuries due to the high cost of treatment. However, a ray of hope emerges as Mulago Specialised Women and Neonatal Hospital announces a free surgical camp to provide life-changing surgeries for these women.
This free surgical camp, which begins on Monday, will focus on treating a range of birth-related injuries, including fistula, a condition that causes continuous urine leakage. The hospital is currently conducting free medical screenings to identify and prepare patients for surgery.
Dr. Godfrey Alia, a urogynaecologist and fistula surgeon at the hospital, highlights the urgency of addressing these injuries. He explains that untreated tears during childbirth can lead to complications such as faecal incontinence.
Additionally, prolonged obstructed labour can result in vesicovaginal fistula, a hole between the bladder and birth canal that causes urine leakage. The impact of these injuries extends beyond physical discomfort, often leading to social isolation and economic hardship.
Many women are unable to afford corrective surgery or lack access to facilities that offer it. The free surgical camp aims to break down these barriers, offering hope for a healthier and more fulfilling life. The initiative is supported by partners such as The Association for Rehabilitation and Re-Orientation of Women for Development (TERREWODE).
This is a non-profit organisation dedicated to providing fistula surgeries and empowering survivors economically. Dr. Alia shared a moving anecdote from a recent surgical camp in Namayingo where he operated on a woman who had lived with fistula for 54 years.
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This free surgical camp highlights the commitment of Mulago Hospital and its partners to improving women’s health in Uganda. By providing free access to essential surgical care, they are transforming lives and restoring dignity to countless women.
