The County of Migori has inaugurated a comprehensive routine program for the treatment and care of obstetric fistula, marking a major step in maternal health.
The launch, held at the Migori County Referral Hospital, was graced by the Chief Guest Mrs. Ida Odinga, who highlighted the devastating impact of the condition and the critical need for community intervention.
Addressing the attendees, Ms Odinga, a native of the county, expressed her deep pride in Migori’s positive progressive sojourn in matters healthcare.
“As a daughter of Migori, I am proud to witness such transformative healthcare in my home county.”
Fistula robs women of their dignity, hope, and their place in society. Yet, it is entirely preventable and treatable disease,”said Mrs. Odinga
She brought to light the silent suffering of thousands of women, describing the streak as a preventable condition usually caused by prolonged obstructed labor, which affects an estimated 120,000 women in Kenya, with 3,000 new cases being recorded annually.
Stating that the condition leads to chronic incontinence, stigma, and social isolation, the former Prime Minister’s wife, Raila Odinga, cited a report by the 2022 Kenya Demographic and Health Survey, which found that 1% of women within the reproductive age report fistula symptoms.
Mrs. Odinga called for a massive campaign drive on the disease, urging local leaders to utilize all available community platforms like churches and women’s groups to create awareness to ensure the message of hope and healing reaches every woman in the rural areas.
“We must talk about fistula in churches, women’s groups, and in all other existing community forums to reach those suffering in silence,” she said, and commended the county government of Migori, the Ministry of Health, and partners like Safaricom Foundation and AMREF for their commitment to assist Fistula victims.
Odinga also praised healthcare workers, the Community Health Promoters (CHPs) for their dedication, stating: “We pray for your continued strength.”
Ms. Faith Wangwe Muteru, the Programme Coordinator for the Flying Doctors Society of Africa (FDSA), confirmed that the ongoing medical camp, running from September 26th to October 10th, seeks to treat at least 100 women and, to date, it has already attended 39.
“Fistula is not just a medical condition but a deeply social and psychological wound,” Wangwe explained, adding that many women suffer in silence due to stigma and isolation.
Through this program, patients are not only treated, but also helped heal emotionally and reintegrated into their communities.
She added that routine fistula repairs are now available free of charge at Migori County Referral Hospital, removing the need for periodic camps.
Recognizing the non-medical treatment of the condition, she stressed that the programme also includes essential counseling and community reintegration to help women cope with the social isolation and stigma they face.
“We are also addressing the stigma faced by affected women through counseling and community reintegration,” Wangwe added.
However, she also cited the national challenge dogging the country, noting the dire shortage of specialists, with only 15 trained fistula surgeons currently in Kenya, underscoring the need for further training of surgeons and nurses to sustain the continuous care model.
“Kenya currently has only 15 trained fistula surgeons. We must build local capacity to ensure that no woman is left untreated.” She stated.
Migori Governor Dr. Ochillo Ayacko, speaking during the launch, described the program as a cornerstone of the county’s health sector reforms.
He noted that the initiative, aims to restore dignity to women living with obstetric fistula while strengthening healthcare systems across the county.
“The program is a landmark step in our journey to improve maternal and child health, and ensure that no woman in Migori suffers needlessly from a preventable condition.” Governor Ayacko stated.
Ayacko highlighted several health sector achievements under his administration, noting that the Rongo Sub-County Hospital Theatre has been operationalized to decentralize emergency obstetric services and reduce delays in life-saving interventions.
“We are taking healthcare closer to our people. “By operationalizing theatres and upgrading hospitals, we are ensuring that every expectant mother, wherever she is in Migori, can access safe delivery services.”
The Governor also cited other key developments, including the completion of the Awendo Maternal and Child Health Complex, which offers integrated antenatal, postnatal, and pediatric services, and the ongoing construction of Kegonga Level 4 Hospital, which will provide advanced diagnostic, surgical, and inpatient services upon completion.
He further cited the fully equipped Kehancha Theatre, the planned groundbreaking for Macalder Hospital Theatre, and the Kehancha Mother-Child Health Complex funded by the M-Pesa Foundation.
“We are decentralizing specialized healthcare and ensuring mothers and children have access to modern, safe, and reliable facilities,” he added.
Furthermore, Dr. Ayacko emphasized his administration’s investment in human capital, including training of over 3,388 Community Health Promoters to strengthen household-level health surveillance and promote preventive healthcare.
The Governor further reassured residents of continued staffing and health kits supply improvements.
By Polycarp Ochieng and George Agimba
