Fistula patients stranded at Kawempe hospital

Aug 31, 2016

According to Dr. Justus Barageine the fistula patients who are supposed to undergo operations have not been attended to for five weeks due to lack of theatre space.

The renovation of Mulago referral hospital has caused untold suffering to the fistula patients who are now languishing at Kawempe hospital centre in Wakiso district.

According to Dr. Justus Barageine the fistula patients who are supposed to undergo operations have not been attended to for five weeks due to lack of theatre space.

"We are stuck. Patients are leaking urine at Kawempe hospital for the last five weeks. We need to sit down and sober up with the situation," Dr. Barageine told an audience in a fully packed hall at Imperial Royale Hotel in Kampala

 he chairperson of arlaimentary health committee  icheal ukenya addressing particpants  during the 1st national obstetric  fistula conference at mperial oyale otel in ampala The chairperson of Parlaimentary health committee MP Micheal Bukenya addressing particpants during the 1st national obstetric fistula conference at Imperial Royale Hotel in Kampala

 

Dr. Barageine remarks caused unease among the participants who held their cheeks in empathy.He explained that an operation can't be conducted because there is no theatre space in Kawempe hospital.

He appealed MPs who were present to visit the hospital to appreciate how dire the situation is.

It is estimated 2 million to 3 million women globally and majorly in Sub- Saharan Africa and Asia suffer from genital fistula with an annual incidence of 50,000 to 100,000 women.

The main cause is prolonged and neglected obstructed labour in more than 90% of the cases.

Uganda's fistula prevalence is at 2% with Western Uganda having the highest prevalence of 4% among females aged 15 to 49 years.

Dr. Barageine stressed the need to build capacity for fistula prevention, treatment and social integration.On his part Dr. Jackson Amone from the ministry of health observed that there is need to develop fistula map in Uganda so that partners who are involved in various districts work together to combat fistula.

A senior consultant surgeon at Soroti referral hospital Dr. Fred Kirya criticized political leaders who sometimes interfere with the medics work accusing the latter of negligence."Who are you to point figures at the medics? What do you know about medical profession?" Dr. Kirya asked.

  senior consultant surgeon at oroti referral hospital r red irya addressing particpants  during the 1st national obstetric  fistula conference at mperial oyale otel in ampala hoto by rancis morut A senior consultant surgeon at Soroti referral hospital Dr. Fred Kirya addressing particpants during the 1st national obstetric fistula conference at Imperial Royale Hotel in Kampala Photo by Francis Emorut

 

"Don't confront professionals we should work in harmony."

The Mitooma Woman MP Jovah Kamateeka wondered why money for reproductive health is diverted to buy female condoms instead of investing towards fistula prevention and treatment.

Bukuya MP Micheal Bukenya who is also the chairperson of Parliamentary health committee told the audience that his committee is committed to improving maternal health.

"Give us a chance as MPs of the 10th Parliament to be able to do our work. Health has no party or gender," Bukenya said.

 

Alice Emasu the founding director of TERREWODE observed that government is steadily making progress towards increasing awareness about obstetric fistula.

"It is attracting significant interest among segments of our population especially in
the city dwellers but this has not translated to increased funding," Emasu said.

 

 

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