It is with great delight we bring the good news that our Fistula Care Centre in Malawi reopened on Easter Monday (5th April) – one year to the day we had to close when it was requisitioned as a COVID treatment centre.
We got the keys back in March and our team worked tirelessly to fumigate, sterilize, clean, restock and prepare the Centre for the return of patients in April.
All staff participated in four days training in Covid protocols and procedures and we reorganized the wards and communal spaces to allow for physical distancing. We have also updated our arrival and screening procedures to help ensure the safest environment possible for patients and staff.
After lots of hard work and preparation, we are delighted to report that we have already performed 12 surgeries, with more patients arriving next week.
One of the first patients to receive her surgery is 21-year-old Falida, who had to marry the man who impregnated her and drop out of school because she was pregnant. Despite going to a district hospital to deliver her baby, there were complications and the baby died. The doctors also had to remove her uterus. After a couple of days, she realised she was was leaking urine permanently and sought help but unfortunately our Centre was closed due to Covid. After living with fistula for 14 months, Falida is now DRY and celebrating her future.
“I want to go back to school and become a nurse so I can help other women like me.”
We have 400 women and girls like Falida on our waiting list, having been closed for a year, so there is a lot of work to do – but the team is excited and up for the challenge!
If you would like to help us, you can donate HERE