WAR ON OBSTETRIC FISTULA  

The Ministry of Health (MOH), in collaboration with other health stakeholders, has officially launched the Obstetric Fistula Routine Services Playbook. The event took place during the national celebrations of the International Day to End Obstetric Fistula held at Gusii Stadium in Kisii town. 

The Playbook is a strategic user-friendly guide developed to support counties in effectively delivering routine obstetric fistula prevention, treatment and comprehensive care services. 

Speaking at the event, the Ministry of Health Representative Dr. Denver Mariga said the Playbook will empower health managers and providers to strengthen service delivery models for fistula prevention and repair, enhance early detection and referral mechanisms, improve community awareness and reduce stigma and monitor and evaluate outcomes for continuous improvement. 

 There are an estimated 3000 new cases of obstetric fistula recorded annually in Kenya according to the Ministry of Health. The Ministry had conducted over 5,000 fistula surgeries together with their health partners over the last five years.