Women’s Health in Uganda with a focus on treatment of Pelvic Floor Disorders
Situation:
Pelvic floor disorders such as fistulas, pelvic floor prolapse, fecal and urinary incontinence are a global health problem; they also affect more and more women in low-income countries. Most women with pelvic floor disorders in Uganda belong to the poorest population. They cannot afford the necessary surgical treatments, which will give them back quality of life and ability to work.
Objective:
Improving quality of life of women with pelvic floor disorders after surgical treatment
- Number of women recruited and operated on
- Number of successfully operated women, follow up postoperatively
- Number of newly trained fellows in urogynecology at MRRH
- Conducting radio, and TV talk shows to enlighten the community about pelvic floor disorders care prior to the camp.
- Involvement of the village teams and community workers in mobilization.
- Training more health workers at each local site/ Health facility.
- Providing transport re-fund, food, and treatment for such women since they cannot afford that money.
- Regular international fundraising.
- Database for the follow up of the patient’s wellbeing and quality of life.
- The two hospitals MRRH and BCH have a very good reputation in their catchment area for the treatment of pelvic floor disorders. If this is maintained, they can continue treating these patients.
- Pelvic floor disorders will not disappear but increase in number. The treatment of these disorders meets a great medical need.
- The Fellowship Programme and its national recognition will give the treatment of women with pelvic floor disorders a permanent place in the Ugandan health system.
- The Ugandan teams are responsible for the organisation on site.
- The teams (Uganda, Switzerland, USA) consist of long-term staff with a high level of expertise, experience and efficiency.
- The project started 10 years ago with Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital (MRRH) and Bwindi Community Hospital (BCH), now more camp sites have been added:
- Nakaseke District Hospital, Lira Regional Referral Hospital, Kitovu Hospital, Masaka Regional Referral Hospital
- First Fellowship in Urogynecology at MRRH, duration 3 years
- Clinical research with own database on site
