MILLICENT HUNGWE
The International Day to End Obstetric Fistula was commemorated on May 23 at Mashoko Hospital, where the Deputy Minister of Health and Child Care Sleiman Kwidini was the guest of honor.
Kwidini revealed that the government will soon put Village Health Workers on payroll as part of empowering them and boosting their morale.
The Ministry of Health and Child Care partnered with Artemedis, Fistula Foundation, and United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) under the theme “Her Health, Her Right: Shaping a Future Without Fistula.”
Obstetric Fistula is a serious injury mostly caused by prolonged, obstructed labour due to lack of timely and adequate medical care results in a hole developing in the birth canal and leads to continuous leakage of urine or faeces or both.
Deputy Minister Kwidini said, “In Addis Ababa, Ethiopia in 2024, His Excellency President Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa was appointed Zimbabwe’s Patron of Community Health Workers until 2027, and he has village health workers at heart. If things go well, they will receive monthly salaries via cards.”
He added, “One of the testimonies from the briefing is that one patient met a village health worker in the community who linked her until she got here at Mashoko, and her repair surgery will be done in a few days.
“Community-based village workers are instrumental in the identification and referral of fistula cases, and the Ministry of Health and Child Care is grateful for their work.”
The Deputy Minister said these Village Health Workers have helped patients from as far back as 1987 and the second republic is escalating the program by boosting their morale.
He noted that persons with long-standing conditions have been assisted through village workers who are closer to the villagers who have a tendency of not opening up on their health challenges.
The Midweek Watch has learned that the moment we don’t share our health problems in the community, the more problems arise, therefore, more needs to be done to advocate for human rights for women and the girl child throughout Zimbabwe.
“It is our responsibility to ensure that no woman lives under the burden of obstetric fistula, no woman should suffer in silence.
“It’s our duty to stand together and ensure that all health facilities are equipped, communities are educated, and all women feel valued, no woman should suffer from obstetric fistula; let’s strive to end it today,” he added.
