By Yang Ater Yang
The Lakes State Ministry of Health, in collaboration with CUAMM and other partners, has launched a week-long fistula treatment campaign at Kiir Mayardit Women’s Hospital in Rumbek, targeting women affected by fistula across the state’s eight counties.
The campaign is being conducted under the theme “Close the Hole, Restore Her Dignity, Heal Her Life, Set Her Free.”
Dr. Amodu Araheem, CUAMM program manager, said an estimated 60,000 women and girls across South Sudan are living with fistula, while fewer than 1,000 receive treatment each year.
He said most fistula treatment services are provided in other states, forcing women from Lakes State to travel to Wau and Juba for surgery.
“In the next two to three years in Lakes State, the South Sudan Nurses and Midwives Association, CUAMM, and other partners, together with the government and the State Ministry of Health, have been making efforts to mobilise women with fistula across the state,” Araheem said.
He said the lack of treatment services in Lakes State had previously forced many women to seek treatment outside the state.
Araheem added that in June, the Ministry of Health engaged Doctors with Africa CUAMM to support the fourth fistula surgery operation in the state.
He said bringing the service closer to affected women would allow them to receive treatment in their own state.
According to Araheem, more than 50 women had already been identified with urinary problems associated with fistula.
“These women cannot control their urine, and surgery is the only solution in these cases,” he said.
Dr. Deng Atot Gur, acting medical director of Kiir Mayardit Women’s Hospital, said the facility had launched a dedicated fistula treatment camp for the first time, although fistula surgeries had been conducted there previously.
He said 61 patients had already been admitted, exceeding the initial target, while five patients had undergone surgery.
The operation was initially planned to run for seven days, but Gur said the period could be extended depending on the number of patients identified.
“Fistula is a very serious medical condition. We have advised the community to send women whenever there is a need for registration and operation,” he said.
The Deputy Governor of Lakes State, Isaac Luka Munga, officially launched the campaign, describing fistula as a serious maternal health condition that can result from prolonged and obstructed labour.
He said the condition causes physical, emotional, and social suffering but is preventable and treatable.
“Women living with fistula should never be blamed or stigmatised. They deserve medical care, family support and the opportunity to return to their normal lives in the community,” Munga said.
He urged women to attend antenatal care and deliver at health facilities under the care of skilled midwives.
Dr. Maker Malok, Director General of the Lakes State Ministry of Health, said the campaign was supported by UNFPA and implemented by CUAMM.
He said Lakes State had previously referred women with fistula to Wau and Juba, but that treatment had now been brought closer to the people.
Malok urged midwives and health workers to identify and refer women suffering from fistula, saying stigma and fear continue to prevent some women from seeking treatment.
He also called on pregnant women to avoid home deliveries and seek skilled care at health facilities to prevent complications during childbirth.