The management of St. Anthony Hospital Tororo, in partnership with Uganda Childbirth Injury, has called upon all women with fistula issues to attend a health fistula camp from November 11th to 15th, 2024.

A fistula is a link between two sections of your body that would not typically connect. It frequently takes the form of a tunnel or channel, and it can allow body substances such as pus, urine, feces, or blood to move where they shouldn’t. The most common types of fistulas are anal fistula, vaginal fistula, and Arteriovenous (AV) fistula, among others.

In a statement, Dr. Anthony Okoth Ndira, the Chief Executive Officer of St. Anthony Hospital, who is also a gynecologist and obstetrician, called upon all patients who wish to be operated upon during this fistula camp to register physically at the hospital.

“This informs the general public, especially the women who are leaking urine or feces or who sustained tears in the private parts following difficult childbirth or a caesarean section,’’ he said.

He added that the surgeons shall be at the hospital in Tororo to operate on all patients who wish to be operated upon during the fistula camp.

Dr. Okoth further stated that most women living with fistula are either unaware that treatment is available or cannot access or afford it.

Additionally, Dr. Okoth said that the food and transportation will be provided for the patients in the form of cash.

According to the Ministry of Health Reports, in Uganda, it is estimated that between 140,000 and 200,000 women and girls are living with fistulas, waiting to be cured, and more than 1900 new cases occur every year.