Recently Dr Andrew visited Nepal, where he was able to attend two fistula camps.
The first was in a rural area, where Dr Shirley runs a Fistula Centre. It’s an incredible long-term partnership, as Dr Shirley originally trained with Andrew in Ethiopia many years ago.
At the camp, Dr Shuvechha, a local gynaecologist, was able to continue her training in fistula surgery skills. Additionally, three other doctors and one nurse from Kathmandu came for training. What a blessing to see more dedicated local professionals upskilled in women’s healthcare.
Sanjana* is 70 years old. She lived with the pain and discomfort of leaking urine for 30 years, after trying to fix a prolapsed uterus on her own. She recently received treatment at the fistula camp with Dr Shuvechha and Dr Shirley. We are expecting a full recovery.
At this fistula camp, 15 women were treated for various gynaecological injuries.
Next, in Kathmandu, the hospital team with Andrew operated on six women with challenging cases the hospital had saved for him. There were three FIGO fistula surgeon trainees in the hospital, who Dr Andrew has been training and supporting for a few years.
The team at the Surkhet Fistula Centre, including Dr Shirley, Dr Shuvechha (next to Dr Andrew) the trainees and theatre staff.
Maya* is ten-years-old and was born with an abnormality which caused incontinence (the same as if she had a fistula). Teased and ashamed, she found it difficult to go to school. It is a difficult condition to treat, but we are thankful to receive the news she is fully cured.
Training local professionals in safe obstetric fistula treatment is one of Dr Andrew’s major priorities at each and every fistula camp. It’s one of the ways we ensure your support is having exponential impact for women suffering with preventable birthing injuries.
*Please note, names have been changed to protect these patients’ privacy