Men have been encouraged to join the ongoing sensitisation campaigns on Obstetric Fistula, not only in Kenya but across the world.
Katani Hospital CEO Dr Modesta Vesonder said obstetric Fistula prevention remains a life-threatening condition among women, especially from slums, rural and ASAL areas.
According to the World Health Organization, between 50,000 to 100,000 women worldwide are affected by Obstetric Fistula, an abnormal opening between a woman's genital tract and her urinary tract or rectum.
Vesonder said the development of obstetric fistula is directly linked to one of the major causes of maternal mortality: obstructed labour.
“I urge men to join in the campaigns against Obstetric Fistula in the country, Obstetric Fistula prevention isn’t only a women’s affair,” Vesonder told the press at Katani Level 4 Hospital in Athi River, Machakos County on Sunday.
She spoke days after the country joined the world, marking International Day to End Obstetric Fistula on May 23.
Vesonder urged Kenyans to join hands in ensuring quality access to prenatal care for women as a way of preventing Obstetric Fistula.
Prenatal care, also known as antenatal care, is a type of preventive healthcare.
It’s provided in the form of medical checkups consisting of recommendations on managing a healthy lifestyle and provision of medical information such as maternal physiological changes in pregnancy, biological changes and prenatal nutrition.
Vesonder said Prenatal nutrition includes vitamins that prevent potential health problems throughout the course of pregnancy as well as promote the mother and child’s health alike.
“Quality access to prenatal care is a basic right and will contribute to the improved health and well–being of girls and women as well as achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals,” Vesonder said.
Women who experience obstetric fistula suffer constant incontinence, shame, social segregation and health problems.
It’s estimated that more than 2 million young women live with untreated obstetric fistula in Asia and sub-Saharan Africa.
Vesonder said the condition is preventable and can be avoided by; delaying the age of first pregnancy, cessation of harmful traditional practices and timely access to obstetric care.
She said preventing and managing obstetric fistula contribute to improved maternal health and the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 3 of improving maternal health.
The UK-based epidemiologist advised citizens to desist from seeking medical services from unqualified persons and instead visit accredited health facilities like Katani Level 4 Hospital for quality medical services.
This she said will help minimise complications that arise out of misdiagnosis, incompetence and human errors.
“Seek medication at Katani Hospital and you will be attended to by competent medical professionals who have many years of experience. We have good monitoring equipment hence excellent outcomes with no intra or post-obstetrical infection,” Vesonder said.
Vesonder said as a facility, they offer among other medical services offered by great obstetricians, doctors, gynaecologists, nurses and surgeons, among other health professionals.
She said men should make it a habit of helping their spouses or accompanying them to access prenatal care services since it has lots of benefits both to the mother and newborn baby.
Vesonder said the availability of routine prenatal care including prenatal screening and diagnosis helps reduce the frequency of maternal death, miscarriages, birth defects, low weight, neonatal infections and other preventable health problems.