Help women living with lifelong fistula injuries
For most women receiving obstetric fistula surgery at a Hamlin hospital, it’s a success. But, in some cases, completely curing the condition isn’t possible. That’s why it’s sometimes necessary to consider urinary diversion surgery.
Diversion surgery allows a woman to live a fulfilling life, free of pain and incontinence. However, it’s irreversible, and she will always be dependent on a stoma, and the care and supplies it needs. That’s why we’ve pledged to provide a lifetime of care and equipment to women who need it.
Iman’s story
For three days, Iman went through a painful obstructed labour. When it was finally over, she faced the anguish of her baby being stillborn.
“Losing my baby was one of the hardest experiences of my life. I was heartbroken. After I went home, I was in so much pain and did not notice anything at first. After two days, my family tried to help me take a shower and clean myself. That was when I realised I could not control my urine.
“I felt so ashamed of myself that I could not even go outside, and if someone came to the house, I would hide because of my condition. My husband left me. At that time, I felt deeply ashamed and hopeless.”
Iman’s family helped her visit health professionals in local hospitals, but none of them could help her. Finally, one of them referred her to Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital.
Hope in Addis Ababa
“When I first got here, I felt relief knowing that I was not the only one with this condition. I felt hope, and my worries disappeared. Then the doctors did an examination. They told me that my case could not be fixed with surgery alone and that I would need a stoma bag. I got scared and said I didn’t want it, so I went back home.
“After returning home, my condition did not improve at all. I was using diapers and felt ashamed all the time it was hard for me to go out or do anything.
“Eventually, I decided that it was better to go through the treatment, because living the rest of my life like that was not an option. That is why I came back.”
Diversion surgery
Sister Tigist gave Iman valuable counselling sessions before she made the final decision to have the irreversible diversion surgery.
“During the training, they taught me everything from how to take care of the stoma bag, how to clean it, and everything I needed to do to stay clean and healthy.
“After the training, they asked me some questions to make sure I understood what I had learned, and I answered everything as they had taught me. After that, they took me to surgery.
“I know living with this bag is going to be hard, but I don’t have a choice. Living with my condition was not really living. I am happy that I got the treatment and have a chance to live a better life.”
For Iman, for life.
Despite the impressive success rate of fistula surgeries, there are many women like Iman who will depend on Hamlin for the rest of their lives.
With your support, we can continue to provide the care and supplies they need to live fulfilling lives.
Please give today and help us be there for women like Iman for life.
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