This archive report was first published on 27 October 2019.
Published on October 27th, 2019, a weeklong fistula camp is set to take place at the Kajiado County Referral Hospital from Saturday, October 26th, to Friday, November 1st, 2019. The camp is organised by Safaricom Foundation, in partnership with Jamaa Mission Hospital and the County Government of Kajiado.
So far, hundreds of women have been screened, with 60 women set to receive free fistula treatment and surgery. The camp is part of Safaricom Foundation's three-year plan focusing on maternal health, aiming to transform lives on the maternal health front.
Joseph Ogutu, Chairman of Safaricom Foundation, said, 'It is encouraging that hundreds of women have been screened so far, and that today 60 women will benefit from free fistula treatment and surgery. I would like to urge women who are suffering from fistula to come forward and receive treatment.'
Racheal Muthoni, Administrator of Jamaa Mission Hospital, added, 'Our effort is to empower women by letting them enjoy a quality and dignified life in the society.'
Since the beginning of 2019, Safaricom Foundation has conducted fistula camps in Nyeri and Makueni counties, and at Kenyatta National Hospital, in conjunction with Flying Doctors Society of Kenya, where 300 women have been treated for fistula.
Fistula is a condition caused by prolonged or obstructed labour, leading to incontinence. Women who experience fistula often suffer from pain, shame, and social isolation.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), more than 2 million women worldwide live with fistula, with at least 4 out of 1000 deliveries in Kenya leading to fistula. It is estimated that at least 3,000 new cases of fistula are reported every year, with only 7.5% of the women affected able to access fistula treatment.
