Fistula is a debilitating medical condition that has left countless women in Kenya and across the world suffering in silence. It is often the result of prolonged, obstructed labor, and its impacts extend far beyond physical pain. For the women affected, it robs them of their dignity, health, and, in many cases, their place in society. Fortunately, Migori County, in partnership with the Safaricom/M-Pesa Foundation and the Flying Doctors Society of Africa, is stepping up to provide hope and restore dignity to these women through reconstructive surgery. At least 120 fistula patients in Migori are set to benefit from this life-changing initiative.
A Collaborative Effort for Healthcare
The initiative was announced during a courtesy call to Migori Governor Ochilo Ayacko, where Nicholas Nganga, the Chairperson of the M-Pesa Foundation, expressed his organization’s commitment to addressing maternal health issues. The partnership between Migori County, the Safaricom/M-Pesa Foundation, and the Flying Doctors is a clear example of how collaborative efforts can help address critical health issues, especially in under-resourced regions like Migori.
The Safaricom/M-Pesa Foundation has long been a champion for maternal and child welfare. Through its various health programs, the foundation has aimed to improve healthcare systems, with a particular focus on maternity care. Nganga emphasized that their efforts are geared towards giving hope to mothers and children by providing essential health services, such as fistula surgery, to communities that need it most.
In this particular project, the foundation, alongside the Flying Doctors, will provide free reconstructive surgery to 120 women suffering from fistula in Migori. This surgery will not only restore these women’s physical health but will also give them the chance to reclaim their lives, dignity, and societal roles. Nganga’s message during the announcement was clear: the community must come together to identify those suffering in silence and encourage them to seek help.
Fistula: A Hidden Plague
Obstetric fistula is often referred to as a hidden condition because of the stigma and misconceptions that surround it. In many rural areas, fistula is still viewed as a curse, which makes it difficult for women to come forward and seek the medical attention they so desperately need. The condition, which occurs when a hole develops between the birth canal and bladder or rectum during prolonged and obstructed labor, leaves women incontinent, often leading to social isolation, depression, and shame.
The lack of awareness and understanding of the condition is one of the primary reasons why many women continue to suffer without treatment. For these women, the reconstructive surgeries provided through this initiative are not just a medical necessity but a beacon of hope. They represent a chance to reclaim their dignity, restore their health, and reintegrate into their communities.
Ambassador Connie Maina, a council member of the Flying Doctors Society of Africa, noted that awareness creation and community mobilization are key to addressing fistula in the country. She highlighted that over the years, the Flying Doctors have successfully treated over 2,000 fistula repair cases in Kenya, thanks in large part to their partnership with the Safaricom/M-Pesa Foundation. Despite this success, there is still much work to be done to reach the estimated thousands of women still suffering from this condition.
A Long-Standing Commitment
The Safaricom/M-Pesa Foundation and the Flying Doctors Society of Africa have been working together for more than eight years. Their shared goal is to not only treat fistula cases but also to raise awareness about the condition and train local healthcare professionals to continue the fight against fistula. According to Maina, the ultimate objective is to eradicate fistula in Kenya by 2030, a goal that, while ambitious, is achievable with continued support from both the public and private sectors.
The partnership has already made a significant impact, and the new initiative in Migori is just one example of their ongoing commitment. By increasing the frequency of fistula reconstructive surgeries and expanding their reach to rural areas like Migori, they are ensuring that more women have access to the care they need.
Moreover, the initiative aligns with Kenya’s broader healthcare goals. Governor Ochilo Ayacko emphasized that the Migori County government is fully committed to addressing health issues affecting its residents. He acknowledged the far-reaching consequences of fistula, noting how the condition dehumanizes women and strips them of their dignity. His administration’s collaboration with the Safaricom/M-Pesa Foundation and the Flying Doctors reflects a clear priority: improving healthcare access and outcomes for the people of Migori.
Expanding Healthcare Access
One of the most significant challenges in addressing fistula is the lack of a robust and widespread public health system in many parts of Kenya. Nganga stressed the importance of having a healthy and active public health system to identify and assist individuals suffering from fistula. Without such a system, the responsibility of identifying patients often falls to community outreach programs and medical camps, which are critical in reaching rural populations but are limited in scope.
In response to this challenge, Nganga revealed that the Safaricom/M-Pesa Foundation is deliberating on increasing the frequency of fistula reconstructive surgeries to twice a month. This move would ensure that more women in need of surgery can receive treatment, significantly improving their quality of life. The foundation’s long-term vision is to establish a sustainable system that can provide regular, ongoing care for fistula patients.
The initiative also highlights the importance of community involvement. Without the support of local leaders, healthcare workers, and the community at large, it would be difficult to reach those suffering in silence. The stigma surrounding fistula means that many women are reluctant to come forward, fearing judgment or rejection from their communities. However, through awareness campaigns and active community engagement, this initiative aims to break down those barriers and encourage women to seek the care they need.
Training the Next Generation of Healthcare Providers
Beyond providing surgeries, the Flying Doctors have also been focusing on training doctors and nurses to ensure that the healthcare system can address fistula even after their direct involvement ends. By building local capacity, they are empowering healthcare providers to continue offering fistula surgeries and related care independently, creating a lasting impact on Kenya’s healthcare system.
Maina noted that the Flying Doctors have been training healthcare professionals for years, equipping them with the skills and knowledge to perform fistula surgeries and provide follow-up care. This training is crucial, as it ensures that the fight against fistula will continue long after the medical camps have ended. It is also part of a broader strategy to improve maternal health outcomes in Kenya by building a skilled and responsive healthcare workforce.
The Road Ahead
The initiative in Migori is a significant step forward in addressing the fistula crisis in Kenya. However, the road to eradicating fistula by 2030 is long, and much work remains to be done. Continued collaboration between the government, private sector, and healthcare providers is essential to achieving this goal.
For the women of Migori and beyond, this initiative offers a lifeline. It provides them with the opportunity to regain their dignity, health, and place in society. As Nganga aptly put it, “Unless we have a very healthy and active public health system that can identify people and ask them to come forward, we can only depend on activities like medical camps to do reconstructive fistula surgery.”
With the continued support of organizations like the Safaricom/M-Pesa Foundation and the Flying Doctors, Kenya is moving closer to a future where no woman has to suffer from fistula in silence. This initiative serves as a powerful reminder of what can be achieved when communities, healthcare providers, and organizations come together to address a pressing issue and restore dignity to those most in need.
Conclusion
The partnership between Migori County, the Safaricom/M-Pesa Foundation, and the Flying Doctors is a prime example of how collaboration and community engagement can address critical healthcare issues. By offering free fistula reconstructive surgeries to 120 women, the initiative provides much-needed hope and healing to those who have suffered for far too long. As awareness spreads and healthcare systems strengthen, the dream of eradicating fistula by 2030 becomes increasingly attainable.
