KIGALI - A non governmental organisation, EngenderHealth, through its Fistula Care Project, on Monday began a ten-day exercise that will see 66 women suffering from Obsteric fistula, receive free treatment at the Kigali Central University Teaching Hospital, (CHU/K).

Obstetric fistula is a severe medical condition in which a fistula (hole) develops between either the rectum and vagina or between the bladder and vagina after severe or failed childbirth.

Among such women, the condition results from prolonged abstracted labor that affects their private parts, according to Jean-Nepo Mugenzi, the Project Coordinator.

"When pregnant mothers do not go for antenatal and other health services, it is not possible to prevent some effects that may arise during or after birth,” Mugenzi noted.

He called upon mothers to seek health services during pregnancy.

Mugenzi added that during the exercise, five doctors and ten nurses would also be trained how to repair fistula.

The project is sponsored by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

The Director of CHU/K, Dr. Théobald Hategekimana, noted that ever since EngenderHealth started supporting affected women in 2006, fistula cases have declined.

"Even the health insurance policy has also helped, as pregnant mothers can now easily access health services,” Hategekimana said.

The exercise will next month shift to Ruhengeri and later Kanombe Hospitals.

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