A new campaign by the Ministry of Health to stem fistula among women is ongoing. The campaign is being carried out by the ministry in partnership with USAID’s Family Health Project Rwanda. The six-month drive will be conducted through drama to raise awareness about the disease, officials say remains rampant, despite it being curable. On Friday last week, residents of Rwamagana District were treated to a play which aimed at educating them about the need for fistula patients to seek medical attention. Many women, especially in the countryside, normally associate fistula with witchcraft, an attitude officials said should change. Felicite Kankindi, who has suffered from the disease, shared her story and how she recovered. The emotional Kankindi said it took her 12 years to decide to seek treatment for fear of stigma. “Courtesy of government’s support, I was taken to Kibagabaga hospital last year and all my medical bills were met until I fully recovered,” she said. As a means to fight fistula, she urged fellow women to make sure they make regular antenatal visits to hospitals and ensure they give birth under the care of medical personnel. During the event the Rwamagana vice-mayor in charge of social affairs, Yvonne Muhongayire, thanked their partners for bringing the campaign to the district.
