The Ministry of Healthy announced the tightening measures and controls systems in fighting against Obstetric Fistula in Malawi, to restoring hope, human rights and dignity of women in Malawi.
The revelations were made during the media personnel workshop on Obstetric Fistula Thursday at Capital Hotel Lilongwe.
“Government through the Ministry of health in collaboration with implementing partners is working tirelessly to preventing, treating and rehabilitating clients suffering from Fistula. Fistula is preventable and treatable; among others eradication of early marriage, delay early child bearing, treatment-surgical repair and reintegration-social, psychological, economic are critical areas”, said Msambati.
Project Officer for Freedom Fistula Foundation in Malawi Grace Hiwa, state that Fistula is an abnormal connection between the bladder and or the rectum and the vagina which result in the continuous leakage of urine and or feces through the vagina following obstructed labour.
She bemoaned factors of Prolonged Obstructed labour (baby’s head too big, small birth canal), pressure Necrosis (tissue deaths), and Fetal death (baby dies) causes Fistula.
“The prevalence varies from 0.064 per 1000 to 1.6 per 1000 women. This means that an estimated prevalence ration increasing to 20,000 women with Fistula in Malawi hence a media orientation for more campaigns”, lamented Hiwa.
The development also comes a few months after Bwaila Fistula Care Centre Unit almost announced similar measures, during Fistula Ambassadors ceremony attended by Bwaila Country Program Coordinator Maglet Moyo.
Moyo previous highlighted that focus is need on Fistula as it causes severe disability and associated consequences of discrimination, abandonment, marginalized and insecurity amongst women and young girls.
Obstetric Fistula is a public health threat in Malawi, therefore an affront on the fundamental human rights and dignity of the women needs to be looked into if Malawi development is grow.
