This archive report was first published on 12 June 2020.
Endometriosis, a disorder where tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows elsewhere in the body, affects millions of women worldwide. In Kenya, the condition often goes undiagnosed, leading to severe symptoms and poor quality of life.
Doris Murimi, founder of the Endo Sisters East Africa Foundation, knows this all too well. She suffered from endometriosis for 30 years before being diagnosed, and her experience inspired her to start the foundation.
According to Murimi, one in 10 women of childbearing age has endometriosis, and 176 million women worldwide live with the condition. The symptoms can be debilitating, including pelvic pain, heavy and prolonged menstruation, and pain with bowel function.
Murimi's foundation aims to raise awareness about endometriosis and provide support to women and girls affected by the condition. They conduct community awareness activities, educate women about their rights, and advocate for early diagnosis and treatment.
However, the cost of treatment is often out of reach for many women, and the government has not provided adequate support. Murimi calls on the Ministry of Health to ensure that every level 5 hospital has a laparoscopy equipment for diagnosis, provide funding for gynaecologists to receive laparoscopic training, and cover laparoscopy surgery under the National Hospital Insurance Fund.
She also advocates for the recognition of endometriosis as a non-communicable disease, which would qualify women for subsidized medication and treatment through NHIF. Additionally, Murimi suggests that the government should cover procedures such as egg stimulation, egg freezing, and IVF for women with infertility or at high risk of infertility due to endometriosis.
Ultimately, Murimi's goal is to improve the quality of life for women and girls affected by endometriosis and to ensure that they have access to the care and support they need.
