By Wongani Mkonkholo, Nkhotakota
Coordinator of the Fistula Care Centre at Bwaila Hospital, Dr Margret Moyo, has stressed the need for early detection and holistic care in addressing obstetric fistula.
She made the remarks at the end of a two-day Fistula ambassador training in Nkhotakota District, where she noted that the condition is preventable and that women can fully recover and reintegrate with timely treatment.
Dr Moyo said ambassadors and survivors are vital in identifying patients, linking them to health facilities and raising awareness.
She added that survivors bring nearly half of patients annually to the Fistula centre, proving that reintegration after treatment is possible.
Fistula Ambassador, Hilarious Kachiswe, called for greater male involvement, saying men are part of both the problem and the solution.
Kachiswe said some women hide their condition out of shame, but the training has equipped ambassadors with skills to handle such cases sensitively.
The ambassadors also received bicycles, raincoats and reflectors to support their outreach work.
The training is part of a three-year project called Bridging Hope: Empowering Women with Obstetric Fistula in Nkhotakota, which is being implemented by the Freedom from Fistula Foundation in collaboration with UNFPA with funding from the Embassy of Iceland.
