11/06/2016
On 23rd May 2016 fistula campaign started at National Borama Fistula Hospital which was supported by the Fistula Foundation sponsoring Dr. Thomas Raassan who was the lead fistula surgeon for this campaign. 79 patients were admitted. 73 of them were operated. 6 patients were postponed due their general conditions. 33 of them had VVF and were all repaired. The rest 40 had RVF, perineal tears and other pelvic floor injuries.Patients came from all Somali speaking regions of the horn. patients were given free surgical repairs, transportations, housing and counselling before, during and after the surgery.
On 5th June 2016 the hospital hosted GO HOME ceremony for 40 patients whom were successfully treated and were sent back home healthy and happy returning to normal life and accepted to be ambassadors for NBFH. The rest 33 are still under care, most of them are dry which is an indication of the success of the repairing .They will be send to their homes for the coming weeks. Treated patients were celebrating with hospital staffs with dance, poems and sings and finally waving their hands and thanking to all those who contributed to their service.
We also celebrated on the 23rd may, 13th anniversary of the campaign to end obstetrics fistula with speeches from the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, the Mayor, Dr. Walhad, the Dean of Amoud Medical School and the Director of the Hospital, Dr. Raassan amongst others, and a very interesting theatrical performance (role Plays) by the hospital staff about a young girl, forced to marry an older man, becoming pregnant and delivering a dead baby at home, while attended by a TBA etc. Luckily after some time she hears about the hospital in Borama and was successfully operated and returned dry and normal to her home after long time of shame, divorced by her husband with no hope and shunned by the people.
