NAMAYINGO – In the sun-kissed district of Namayingo, Uganda, a beacon of hope emerged in the fight against obstetric fistula. The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the Embassy of Iceland in Kampala joined forces to equip local health centers with state-of-the-art medical equipment. This generous donation, worth millions of shillings, aimed to bolster the district’s capacity to prevent and treat obstetric fistula, a debilitating condition affecting thousands of women.
This is part of their three-year Survivors Treatment and Obstetric Fistula Prevention (STOP) Programme in Namayingo launched in February 2024.
The equipment handover ceremony was attended by Ms. Gift Malunga, Country Representative of UNFPA Uganda, who emphasized the significance of this partnership. “As we commemorate the International Day to End Obstetric Fistula, we reflect on the progress made and the challenges that remain,” she said. “Today, we’re not just handing over medical equipment; we’re renewing our commitment to restoring dignity and health to thousands of women affected by this condition.”
The delivered equipment included delivery beds, fetoscopes, pulse oximeters, linen trolleys, safety glasses, emergency trolleys, bed screens, operating tables, instrumental trolleys, operating stools, colposcopes, ablation devices, and sandals/clogs boots. These would enable healthcare providers to deliver transformative surgeries and improve the quality of care for mothers.
Ms. Malunga expressed profound gratitude to the Government of Iceland for their support through the STOP program, which was instrumental in reducing maternal mortality. “We commend the Government of Uganda, particularly the Ministry of Health, for their leadership and the Mayingo District officers for their sustained commitment,” she added.
Dr. Lazaro Mborwa from Buyinza Health Center IV shared his experience working with patients affected by obstetric fistula. “We’ve been treating mothers with obstetric fistula, often young mothers who experience complications during childbirth due to their small pelvis size,” he explained. “This has led to a significant number of fistula cases, particularly among teenagers.”
In the ongoing fistula camp supported by the Embassy of Iceland and UNFPA, Dr. Mborwa’s team had operated on over 18 patients, with more scheduled for surgery. The ages of these young mothers ranged from 14 to 20, highlighting the issue of teenage pregnancy in the area.
“Despite challenges with our operating theater, we’ve managed to serve the community effectively,” Dr. Mborwa said. “Our program also includes psychosocial support, community sensitization, and education on the dangers of fistula and teenage pregnancy.”
Mr. Karuga Charles from Buyinza Health Center IV highlighted the significant increase in deliveries, from 90 to 160-180 per month. “We face challenges with teenage pregnancy, with our district previously recording rates above 26%. Through interventions like the STOP project, we’ve managed to reduce this rate to 22%.”
Mr. Karuga expressed gratitude for the support from the Embassy of Iceland, which had enabled the district to conduct integrated outreach and community dialogues. “The handover of equipment today is a significant achievement, benefiting not only our facility but also other project-funded units,” he noted.
Ms. Hilda Engilbertsdóttir, Head of Mission, Embassy of Iceland, emphasized the importance of the STOP program. “We’ve noted that fertility rates are among the highest in Namayingo, as well as teenage pregnancy rates, which is a key risk factor for obstetric fistula,” she said. “The $3 million program aims to comprehensively address obstetric fistula and empower survivors in Namayingo district.”
Dr. Richard Mugahi, Commissioner in Charge of Maternal and Child Health, Ministry of Health, emphasized the need to prioritize infrastructure development, resource optimization, and community engagement. “As we move forward with our healthcare initiatives, it’s essential to prioritize infrastructure development,” he said. “This includes enhancing ambulance services to ensure prompt responses to emergencies and provide timely medical care.”
By working together with stakeholders, the Ministry aimed to leverage resources, expertise, and funding opportunities to drive meaningful impact and improve healthcare outcomes. “One of the significant challenges we face is increasing access to healthcare in remote and underserved areas,” Dr. Mugahi noted. “To address this, we’ll explore solutions like mobile health services or telemedicine, which can bridge the gap in healthcare delivery.”
As the healthcare providers and community leaders worked tirelessly to address obstetric fistula, stories of hope and resilience emerged. A young woman, who had undergone surgery and was now a leader in her community, testified to the impact of the STOP program. Village healthcare workers played a vital role in spreading awareness and referring mothers to healthcare facilities. Midwifery was also essential in reducing obstetric fistula cases.
The partnership between UNFPA, the Embassy of Iceland, and the Namayingo district local government had brought new hope to the community. The beneficiary facilities include Buyinja HCIV, Sigulu HCIV, Masafu GH, Banda HCIII, Mutumba HCIII, and Bumooli HCII.
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