There are an estimated 3,000 new cases of fistula each year in Kenya, with only 7.5 percent able to access medical care for the condition. A UNFPA report released in 2004 estimates the backlog of fistula cases to be as high as 300,000
Each year between 50,000 to 100,000 women worldwide are affected by obstetric fistula. Since 2006, approximately 4,000 women in Kenya suffering from VVF have undergone successful surgeries
Fistula repair in public hospital costs between Ksh. 50,000 and Ksh. 90,000 and in a private hospital between Ksh. 250,000 and Ksh. 450,000.
For every woman who dies from pregnancy-related complications, 20 women survive but experience terrible injuries and disabilities.
One woman dies from pregnancy-related complications every minute worldwide; 95 percent of them live in Africa and Asia. A number of new obstetric fistula cases resulting from childbirth occur worldwide each year: 100,000.
Flying Doctors’ Society of Africa and M-PESA Foundation in collaboration with the Nyeri County Government are holding a Free Female Genital Fistula (FGF) Medical Camp at the Nyeri County Referral Hospital.
The second phase of this year’s 2021 Free Fistula surgery in Nyeri County Referral Hospital will have over 60 women suffering from Obstetric Fistula benefit.
The main aim is to support women with Obstetric Fistula and provide them with free medical treatment.
This is part of a major outreach program by the Flying Doctors Society of Africa (FDSA) and M-PESA Foundation that is geared at giving affected a new lease of life to women living with the condition as well as arm those not affected with crucial information on safe motherhood.
In Kenya, fistula accounts for 6% of most maternal death and prenatal loss only if left untreated. Fistula manifests itself as an abnormal communication between the urinary bladder and the vagina that leads to uncontrollable leakage of urine and fecal matter. The development of obstetric fistula is directly linked to one of the major causes of maternal mortality: obstructed labor. It is the most devastating of all pregnancy-related injuries; home deliveries and early marriages and due to cultural practices limited resources; many women are unable to seek treatment. With the camp, the partners are seeking to break the barriers and restore dignity to the women of Nyeri County and other counties who can make their way to Nyeri.