Kisii: The Ministry of Health (MOH), in collaboration with various health stakeholders, has officially launched the Obstetric Fistula Routine Services Playbook. The unveiling was part of the national celebrations for the International Day to End Obstetric Fistula at Gusii Stadium in Kisii town.
According to Kenya News Agency, the playbook serves as a strategic and user-friendly guide aimed at aiding counties in delivering effective routine obstetric fistula prevention, treatment, and comprehensive care services. Dr. Denver Mariga, a representative of the Ministry of Health, addressed the gathering, emphasizing that the playbook will empower health managers and providers to enhance service delivery models for fistula prevention and repair. It is also designed to improve early detection and referral mechanisms, boost community awareness, reduce stigma, and facilitate continuous improvement through monitoring and evaluation.
Dr. Mariga highlighted that the playbook’s development was influenced by insights gath
ered from partners, practitioners, and communities in Makueni County. He emphasized that the launch signifies a pivotal advancement in institutionalizing quality fistula care and accelerating efforts toward achieving a fistula-free nation.
During the event, a surgeon’s training manual was also launched to ensure consistency in clinical practice, promote quality care, and contribute to the eradication of obstetric fistula in Kenya. The Ministry of Health estimates that over 3,000 new cases of obstetric fistula are recorded annually in the country, with many women suffering in silence due to socio-economic barriers and limited access to medical care.
Dr. Mariga revealed that the ministry, along with health partners, has conducted over 5,000 fistula surgeries in the past five years. Efforts have been amplified through community sensitization campaigns and equipping healthcare facilities like Makueni County Teaching and Referral Hospital to provide routine basic and comprehensive obstetric care services.
Gove
rnor Simba Arati, represented by the Kisii Deputy Governor, acknowledged that obstetric fistula remains a devastating childbirth injury causing chronic incontinence, physical trauma, and social isolation. He reported that Kisii County recorded 420 women undergoing repair for fistula-related complications last year and noted the ongoing demand for surgical interventions during a recent free fistula camp.
Governor Arati outlined deliberate measures taken to address the condition, including expanding maternal and newborn health services, training skilled birth attendants, and strengthening referral systems and emergency care, especially in rural areas. He praised the efforts of the Ministry of Health and partners like UNFPA, Amref, and Fistula Foundation for supporting fistula treatment camps, which have provided essential medical care to many women.
The governor also emphasized the importance of reintegrating fistula survivors into society by offering psychological support, trauma counseling, and opportunitie
s for skill development and small business support. He reiterated the county’s commitment to expanding access to quality fistula treatment and embracing routine screening and treatment.
The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that about 50,000 to 100,000 women globally are affected by obstetric fistula annually, a significant contributor to maternal mortality. Additionally, more than 2 million young women live with untreated obstetric fistula in Sub-Saharan Africa and Asia.