Kisumu District Hospital will soon start carrying out operations for fistula patients after an NGO launched a new Fistula theater complete with necessary equipment and surgical supplies.
The launch was sponsored by Action on Fistula, in partnership with Astellas Pharma and Fistula foundation.
The foundation has entered into a partnership with the County government of Kisumu to not only provide the surgical equipment needed for fistula repair, but also ensure that the service is offered free to women in need of fistula repair.
Speaking at the launch, the director of Fistula foundation, Lindsey Pollaczek said that her foundation will also provide education to medical staff on how to handle fistula patients.
The medical Superintendent of the hospital Amos Otedo pointed out that there are hundreds of women who suffer from fistula, and that it is a condition that can only be corrected by surgery.
Kisumu County deputy Governor, Ruth Odinga thanked the Action on Fistula organisation for their commendable job and added that she will from thereon strive to create awareness on fistula.
She also said that the county government aims at making healthcare accessible to all.
“We will make better healthcare access by providing mobile clinics, more ambulances, upgrading of health centres in rural among other thing,’’ said Odinga.
According to the hospital's gynecologist Paul Mitei, screening for Fistula will be done every Monday. Those who test positive will be operated on, on Wednesdays of the same week.
The foundation has launched similar units in Eldoret and Kitale, and aims at treating at least 120 women in a year.