Unite for People living with Stoma!
This Saturday 2nd October 2021 we’re pleased to be celebrating World Ostomy Day uniting with people living with Stoma. Organised by the European Ostomy Association, the motto for this year is “Ostomates Rights are Human Rights – anytime and anywhere!”
Stoma surgery and support at Hamlin Hospitals
A stoma can offer a lifeline for women with severe fistula injuries. For some women, fistula can result in extensive damage to their bladder or lower urinary tract which sadly is not always possible to cure. For these women, the offer of diversion surgery – to provide them with a urostomy (stoma) bag – can enable them to begin the journey to getting their lives back.
Did you know?
A stoma bag is a small, waterproof pouch used to collect waste from the body. Typically a stoma bag can be used for 3-7 days and on average a patient living with stoma needs 10 bags a month.
Thanks to Hamlin Fistula UK supporters, Hamlin provides a reliable supply of stoma bags to patients in need, as well as providing ongoing stoma care from specialist nurses.
Meet Tigist – Lead Nurse of Hamlin’s Stoma Clinic
Stoma nurses are responsible for managing all aspects of supporting patients before and after fistula surgery that may require a stoma. They explain to patients before surgery what is going to happen and help teach them how to adapt to life with a stoma.
Lead Stoma Nurse Tigist has worked at Hamlin Fistula Ethiopia for ten years and told us thing that inspires her most in her work is seeing patients’ lives transformed after they come to the clinic. She explained:
“Some patient’s stomas are shorter term, and some are life-long. All patients in our care receive counselling and follow ups at the clinic after their surgery from my team. Hamlin also supports long-term patients in receiving ongoing follow up by providing transportation to and from the hospital”.
As part of the process Tigist also often counsels the families of patients, which can make a really big difference when a patient returns home.
Help Tigist and her team make a difference
Without stoma nurses like Tigist, many women undergoing post-childbirth surgical procedures and recovering from stoma surgeries would struggle to cope and build their lives back up again. Please help us celebrate them by spreading the word about World Ostomy Day on social media and how Stoma nurses are instrumental in patients’ journeys to recovery!
If you would like to support their efforts, dedication and life-changing support, please consider donating today.
