Margaret's journey through childbirth took a distressing turn when complications arose during the delivery of her fifth child. Unlike her previous births, this time, she endured prolonged labor and intense pain. “I raised my discomfort to the nurses and told them that the baby was not moving properly. They told me to be patient and that the baby would eventually come, " said Mary.
Three days of agonizing labor would lead to the heartbreaking loss of her baby and the onset of obstetric fistula—a condition resulting from prolonged, obstructed labor without timely, quality medical intervention. “The baby was 5 kgs, so during delivery, the nurses started pulling out the baby,” Margaret said.
For 21 years, Margaret sought medical care in vain, unable to afford the costly assistance of a gynecologist to whom she had constantly been referred when she went to get treatment. Undeterred by her condition, she carried on with her life, even giving birth to another child.
After the long wait and turmoil, Margaret received a text on her phone informing her about a fistula camp that was happening near her at the Homa Bay Referral Hospital and quickly took up the chance to get treatment. She was among women and girls attending a two-week fistula camp offering free screening and treatment for survivors of Fistula. The medical camp was organized by UNFPA in partnership with the Ministry of Health, the County Government of Homa Bay, Mpesa Foundation, Amref Health Africa, and the Flying Doctors Society. The camp took place between the 15th- 26th of October 2023.
A wide range of services were provided by the camp to cater to the unique needs of individuals including screening, counseling, and surgical treatment of obstetric fistula. The camp provided free screening and treatment to 225 women with 45 receiving the life-changing surgery.
Recognizing the need for sustained efforts, Homa Bay County Governor Gladys Wanga sustained efforts, expressed the county government's commitment to establishing a permanent fistula clinic in Homa Bay where women could walk in any time and get help. “The county government is exploring ways to ensure fistula correction is done routinely in Homa Bay county hospitals so that women do not have to wait for free medical camps to get attended to,” she said.
Margaret, now free from fistula, radiates joy. She aspires to be a beacon of hope for other women suffering from obstetric fistula. She hopes to encourage other women to seek treatment and additionally educate her community that the condition is a normal, preventable, and treatable condition. “I am finally liberated from shame and social stigma, and look forward to rejoining my community with dignity,” said an overjoyed Margaret.
