Dedza District Hospital gets fistula ward
Korean International Agency (Koica) yesterday handed over a K60 million fistula ward to Dedza District Hospital.
Speaking during the event, Koica’s country director Manshik Shin said they will work to support policies and interventions that promote fundamental rights of adolescent girls and women in Dedza District.
He urged healthcare workers at the facility to offer exceptional services to help patients live better lives.
Shin pledged continued support for girls and women in the country through Koica implementing partner, United Nations Population Fund, adding that more funds will be disbursed soon.
Ministry of Health director of reproductive health Doreen Namagetsi Ali said obstetric fistula comes because of delay in delivery.
She said that obstetric fistula largely affects adolescent women and the youth because their bodies are not mature.
Ali said the past three years, Dedza has registered 161 fistula cases which were treated at Bwaila Fistula Care Centre in Lilongwe.
She said the centre will not only help patients in accessing services in time, but also prevent them from travelling long distances to seek treatment.
The centre will also treat patients from Balaka, Ntcheu and other districts.
Dedza District Hospital is the third hospital in the country to have a fistula centre ward after Bwaila in Lilongwe and Mchinji.
A fistula survivor in Dedza, Kumvukani Kang’oma urged women with the condition to seek medical attention to overcome stigma and discrimination
