In Brazzaville, women with vesicovaginal fistula offered free treatment
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on ACI
Prof. Steve Ondziel, a urologist at the Brazzaville University Hospital, called on 10 November for women suffering from vesicovaginal fistula to seek free treatment. He recommends that pregnant women attend regular antenatal check-ups to prevent the condition, according to ACI.
Prof. Steve Ondziel, a urologist-andrologist at the Brazzaville University Hospital, called on 10 November for women suffering from vesicovaginal fistula to consult specialist services to receive free treatment. The condition is an abnormal connection between the bladder and the vagina, which causes uncontrollable urine leakage. It generally occurs after a difficult childbirth, surgery or a gynaecological cancer that has reached the bladder.
According to the specialist, patients often live in secrecy and stay silent out of shame. Permanent irritation, persistent odour of urine and fear of others' gaze undermine their married life and gradually lead to their social exclusion.
Prof. Ondziel considers fistula preventable. He recommends that pregnant women attend their antenatal check-ups regularly, monitor the baby’s weight and choose a suitable method of delivery. He also asks health workers to be more vigilant during surgical procedures.
For very small fistulas, a urinary catheter may be enough, he explained. For the others, only surgery offers a real cure, the complexity of which depends on the location and size of the lesion. Treatment solves the problem in the majority of cases, but some operations fail and have to be repeated.
The specialist also notes the absence of precise data on the number of women affected, because of the victims' silence and the taboo nature of the subject.
