138 fistula surgeries done after ebola by AWC

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Fri, 2016-04-08 11:03 — Mohamed S

As the ebola disrupted operations of most health activities in the country, the Aberdeen Women Center (AWC) was no exception although they were among the few Health Centers that did not shut down their operations fully.
However, immediately ebola was declared over in the country in November, the center embarked on screening of fistula patients all over the country during which many women affected were screened and potential cases recorded.
Explaining about camping and surgeries done so far from November to March, Augustine Kutubu-Kosia said after ebola they have operated two camps; November and February and that during these camps surgeries done totalled one hundred and thirty eight (138).
Explaining further, Kutubu-Kosia said camps are done for difficult and complicated cases as expert surgeons are flown in the country to do these surgeries. This process also serves as learning period for the Sierra Leonean team including the medical doctors working in that area.
He said during the camping which sometimes last for two to three weeks, most of the surgeries are done during this period, stating that from the day of admission to post surgeries “everything is free and the patients don’t pay for any services,” adding that before surgeries people with fistula have to be prepared and some who are malnourished are given special care to prepare their body for surgeries.
Questioned about successes, Kutubu-Kosia maintained that they have 90% success and most of the time more than one surgery is done and for those that don’t completely dry up there is post-surgery plan wherein they are provided with medication that will help them.
According to research, “Vesico vaginal Fistula, or VVF is an abnormal fistulous tract extending between the bladder or ( vesico) and the vagina that allows the continuous involuntary discharge of urine into the vaginal vault.”
Research further disclosed that “VVF is often caused during childbirth in which case it is known as an obstetric fistula, when a prolonged labour presses the unborn child tightly against the pelvis, cutting off blood flow to the vesico vaginal wall”.
Questioned as the age range of people affected with fistula, he said it is mostly among women in child bearing age and some of these are adolescent and people with VVF are found all over the country.
Kutubu-Kosia said the Center receive funding from the Freedom from Fistula Foundation, Gleog Foundation. DFID and UNFPA and it is with these support they are able to run the center not only for people with fistula by other areas.
By Betty Milton
Thursday April 07, 2016