There is a sigh of relief for a 60 year-old grandmother of Tindi village, Traditional Authority (T.A), Chimutu in the rural Lilongwe after she was healed from obstetric Fistula which she has been living with for 45 years.
The Katerina Sinoya, the grandmother of six grandchildren shared the good news with The Maravi Post on Friday, September 25, 2015 after toured Bwaira Fistula Care Centre in the capital Lilongwe a head of Obstetric Fistula camp slated for two weeks starting from September 27 to October 9, 2015.
During the camp women will undergo screening and repair from the Obstetric Fistula’s damage to be conducted by two international surgeons in collaboration with local ones.
The centre will carry the exercise in partnership with UNFPA and Ministry of Health targeting 100 women from surrounding districts.
Grandmother Katerina expressed gratitude for the comprehensive treatment gotten from the centre saying life would be normal as she expects a well-welcome from her community after a long time being subjected to humiliation, discrimination and torture due to Fistula.
“I have been living with the disease since the time of Dr. Kamuzu Banda rule which occurred during my last born as there was no child spacing. Since then, I was leaking urine every time which brought shame to my family. I was subjected to discrimination, insults from community only my husband stood for me all this time.
“This healing is a new life for me and entire family. With the repair, my community will welcome me vividly and start living normal. I am very grateful as well to the entire Bwaira Care Centre for the love and support offered. This is the reason I am going home happier than
ever before.
“It’s my appeal to every woman whether old or young who is living with Fistula that this place is an ideal and hope for them as such much support is also needed towards the continual provision of services at this centre”, urges Katerina.
The Maravi Post later caught up with Margret Moyo, Bwaira Care Centre’s National Coordinator who expressed gratitude for the fruits the centre was baring by bringing hope, confidence and restoring dignity among women with Fistula saying the disease is curable,
repaired and treatable.
Moyo said the two weeks Fistula camping will give opportunities to women with complex cases to receive comprehensive treatment from local and international surgeons designated for the exercise.
“We are targeting 100 women for the exercise as so far 40 women have already registered a head of the camp while others will join us in the course of action. We are calling all women living with Fistula to be part of the event.
“Apart from treatment, the center also provides integrated programmes including business management, entrepreneurship and socio-psycho trainings for post repair that women must stand on their own in communities for a better life. These services are free to all Malawian
living with the disease.
“Currently, food shortages are hitting hard Bwaira hospital which hosts our patients as such clients are served with one meal a day. This is also the reason we are calling well-wishers to come to our rescue”, appeals Moyo.
The centre which is the only in Malawi located at Bwaira District Hospital in the capital Lilongwe, continues to save more than 250 women and girls yearly which shows that Obstetric Fistula remains a challenge to the Malawi nation.
With funding from Freedom from Fistula Foundation, Bwaira Fistula Care Centre is providing free repairing, psychological, financial services to patients suffering from Obstetric Fistula such that a patient cost about MK500,000 for a complete treatment which needs more support from other cooperate partners
