Rutendo Chirume
The Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC) is conducting free obstetric fistula repairs in Masvingo province at Mashoko and Morgenster hospitals throughout the month of March.
Obstetric fistula is a physical damage experienced by some women during child birth and is attributed to prolonged labor and poor antenatal care.
The team carrying out the exercise is currently at Mashoko hospital up to March 10 and will be at Morgenster hospital from March 21 to 31 and women with such conditions are advised to report at the two hospitals for free treatment.
MoHCC reproductive health officer told TellZim News that the programme is ongoing in form of camps that usually last for two weeks at each camp in the province since it started in 2015 and encouraged women not to shy away from treatment after getting those damages.
“Obstetric fistula repair is an ongoing programme and currently we are at Mashoko and Morgenster hospitals but women from other provinces with such a condition are welcome for treatment. Women with such conditions are supposed to do bookings first and then come for treatment.
“Since the programme started in 2015, we have helped about 800 women around the country. Therefore, women are encouraged not to shy away after getting those damages. They should also register pregnancy earlier and adhere to the medical rules given to them by health personnel during pregnancy,” she said.
Obstetric fistula is often caused by prolonged labor and is characterized by urine incontinence, making a lot of women suffer in silence.
Those with queries are advised to contact 0808231 for more details.
