Vihiga County Referral Hospital, Mbale, 2016. [Eric Lungai, Standard]
Vihiga County Referral Hospital is offering free surgeries to residents suffering from fistula.
The initiative, which started in November 2021, has seen 10 women undergo successful surgeries, while an additional seven are scheduled for treatment.
The hospital's medical superintendent, Dr Vitalis Juma, said the county has recorded a high number of fistula cases and are fighting the stigma associated with the disease.
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Juma added that any patient, who seeks treatment also receives a transport refund.
“We want to encourage more patients to come for screening and treatment. We are offering them a token of appreciation for taking the bold move. We have partnered with the Fistula Foundation to offer treatment for one year," said Dr Juma.
Fistula Foundation's Country Director Habiba Mohamed said Vihiga county joins seven other counties offering free fistula treatment.
"We have been urging women to deliver in hospitals as opposed to home without a skilled birth attendant," Habiba noted.
