UNFPA, Ministry of Health take the fistula fight to Namayingo District

By Umar Weswala:

Iceland envoy Hilda (C) appends her signature
in commitment to the STOP project. Looking on
is the UNFPA Country Rep. Gift Malunga (R)
and Dr. Rony from the MOH 

The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in collaboration with the government of Uganda have embarked on a new program aimed at combating Obstetric Fistula, one of the most serious and tragic childbirth injuries suffered by women.

The 3-year program dubbed the Survivors Treatment and Obstetric Fistula Prevention (STOP) has been made possible with funding from the government of Iceland, and it will be implemented in Namayingo District.

While speaking at the launch of the program at Namayingo District Local Government Headquarters on Wednesday February 7^th, the Head of Mission at the Embassy of Iceland in Uganda Hilda Engilbertsdottir explained why it is funding the STOP Fistula program and why Namayingo District was picked.

 “We have noted that fertility rates are among the highest in Namayingo as well as teenage pregnancy rates, which is a key risk factor for obstetric fistula. The three-million-dollar program aims to comprehensively address obstetric fistula and empower survivors in Namayingo district” she said.

According to the envoy, the program will also help strengthen the quality of reproductive and maternal health services and enhance both gender equality and human rights.

Iceland is not a stranger in the Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) spaces; it has partnered with UNFPA aka the United Nations sexual and reproductive agency in several other countries on the African continent since 2021.

“UNFPA is Iceland’s key partner in all matters relating to sexual and reproductive health. We signed our first ever global partnership agreement with UNFPA in 2021 and have significantly increased our core contribution to UNFPA in recent years. We are happy to add Uganda to the list of direct funding for UNFPA” Hilda stressed.

UNFPA has a long history of supporting fistula programming in Uganda. Funds from the UNFPA Maternal Health Thematic Fund and from donor agencies have enabled the UN agency to; generate crucial evidence through Annual National fistula performance report, support fistula camps in select repair centers, develop strategic documents like the Five-year National Fistula Strategic Plan for Uganda and strengthen national fistula coordination platforms.

A stakeholders' group photo after the launch of the 
STOP Fistula program 

In her remarks during the launch of the STOP program, the UNFPA Country Representative Ms. Gift Malunga described the intervention as a beacon of hope for women affected by obstetric fistula in Namayingo district.

“This program, with its focus on restoring dignity and preventing future cases, aligns perfectly with our shared vision of a healthier and more equitable Uganda” she said.

She gave thumbs to the Embassy and government of Iceland for funding the program, describing the support as an invaluable contribution to ending fistula and addressing the complex challenges faced by Ugandan women.

“Through these efforts, we look forward to reduced maternal morbidity arising from Obstetric Fistula and restored dignity of survivors through corrective surgery, rehabilitation and social reintegration” she noted.

Despite the strides made by the government and partners, in improving maternal health indicators in general, many women continue to grapple with life-altering birth complications, including obstetric fistula. The backlog of cases and the increasing number of new occurrences highlight the need for sustained efforts.

Dr. Bahatungire R. Rony the Ag. Commissioner Health and Clinical Services represented the Ministry of Health launch of the STOP program in Namayingo District.

He appreciated the government of Iceland and UNFPA for partnering with the ministry of health in the fight against Fistula saying that through the program, more affected women and girls will access the lifesaving fistula information and health care as well as life changing support after surgery.

“With this support, we believe we will be able to reach each and every person that is concerned and we will touch many souls" Dr. Bahatungire said.

As part of the program launch, delegations from the government and development partners met a group of Fistula survivors who had been repaired in fistula surgical camps supported by UNFPA.

UNFPA's Gift Malunga speaking at the 
STOP Program launch

These included Ajambo Eunice 42 and Mirembe Bridget 18, both of whom have heart breaking but thank fully success stories because despite their painful ordeals, they were able to undergo successful surgeries and they are now community champions against the debilitating condition.

Much as both women attribute their conditions to delays to reach health facilities and delays to get medical care, other risk factors can not be ruled out.

 Ajambo Eunice got Fistula while giving birth to her 6^th child, a number that is way above the recommended country and WHO fertility rate of not more than four children per mother.

Mirembe got fistula at the age 16, when her body was not fully ready for child birth.

Their stories therefore highlight two fistula highs risk factors of high fertility rate and the high teenage pregnancy rate in Namayingo District, the two reasons behind the decision by the Embassy of Iceland and UNFPA to embark on the STOP program.

The Namayingo District Woman MP Hon. Margaret Makhoha together with other district political and technical leaders pledged to accord the program their full support.