Tuesday 2 September 2008

Obstetric fistula rife on Ukerewe islands

From Daily News, Dar es Salaam
By JACOB KAMBILI in Mwanza

At least 25 cases of pregnancy and childbirth-related complications, arising from prolonged and obstructed labour, have been reported in Ukerewe District amid growing fears that the problem could escalate if remedial measures are not taken promptly. The concern over the complications, known medically as 'obstetric fistula', is contained in a report compiled by Utu Mwanamke, a women's rights organization, which visited the district recently.

Acknowledging the increase in the prevalence of fistula cases among young pregnant women, the organzation's Planning Officer, Ms Anne Sawaka, attributed the problem to a lack of reproductive health education and a serious shortage of health workers. She said Ukerewe District (in Mwanza Region), whose territory also comprises a further 38 smaller islands, faces a severe shortage of trained midwife nurses and other health workers.

Read full story in Daily News.

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