Mulago one of world’s best fistula training sites. National Mulago one of world’s best fistula training sites Publish Date: Oct 29, 2014 Mulago one of world’s best fistula training sites mail img newvision By Taddeo Bwambale and Viola Nabatanzi MULAGO National Referral Hospital has been certified as one of the world’s nine specialised facilities for training fistula surgeons. The recognition was announced at the opening of the 5th Congress of the International Society of Obstetric Fistula Surgeons (ISOFs) at Hotel Africana on Wednesday. The ranking was made by the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO), a global agency that is in charge of training fistula surgeons. Other sites are Gynocare in Kenya, Hamlin Fistula in Ethiopia, HOGGY in Senegal, CNRFO in Niger, CCBRT in Tanzania, as well as Babbar Ruga, Ibadan, Laure and Kano sites in Nigeria. Dr. Steve Arrowsmith, the Programmes Director at FIGO said training of health workers to carry out fistula surgery was a critical step in the campaign to end the debilitating condition. Fistula is a hole in the birth canal or rectum arising majorly from prolonged labour without prompt medical help. Women with fistula live with uncontrollable discharge of urine or stool. Injury at the time of delivery is a major cause of fistula, especially during caesarian operation. Some cases of fistula may result from infection. Over two million young women live with untreated obstetric fistula in Asia and sub-Saharan Africa, according to the World Health Organisation. Experts at the three-day fistula congress held under the theme: End Fistula-A shared responsibility will review global progress in fighting the condition. The experts will discuss new findings and share experience from countries on prevention, treatment, rehabilitation and research aspects of managing the condition. Training of fistula surgeons is one of key areas of focus at the congress which brings together over 300 health experts to review global progress in fighting the disease. Dr Justus Barageine, a fistula surgeon and chair of the congress said Uganda’s recognition was a result of its achievements in handling of fistula cases and training of more fistula surgeons. Uganda will early next year start training surgeons from Rwanda the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Tanzania to carry out complex fistula surgery, Barageine told New Vision. The state minister for primary healthcare, Sarah Opendi all hospitals in Uganda would be equipped to handle fistula cases. She said the ministry would conduct a survey to establish the magnitude of fistula problem in Uganda. Among countries that have made progress in ending fistula is Kenya which recruited retired health workers to help deliver mothers. In Pakistan, a law was passed forbidding teenage marriages that have been linked to high fistula cases. In Uganda, out of nearly 200,000 women living with fistula, about 2,500 cases are treated every year, according to the health ministry. Prof Florence Mirembe, a consultant obstetric gynaecologist observed that recruiting more skilled health workers was one of the most important steps in the fight against fistula. In Uganda, there is one midwife for 3,000 expectant mothers and one doctor for every 30,000 patients. The country has about 200 gynaecologists who are mostly concentrated in urban areas.
Posted on: Thu, 30 Oct 2014 05:53:28 +0000
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