On February 13th Danja Fistula
Center celebrated the milestones of 5 years of care and 1000 surgeries
performed. The 1000th surgical patient was a 55 year old Fulani
woman who had lived with urinary incontinence for 34 years as a result of her
obstetrical fistula. She received a gift for being the 1000th patient, but her
greatest gift is that she will be able to return home repaired. With 15 years
of experience as a general surgeon prior to specializing in fistula surgery, Dr.
Itengre Ouedraogo shared about the unique challenges of fistula surgery where
extensive damage can make successful surgery difficult. Surgeons are accustomed
to success, so this type of surgery can be discouraging when multiple surgeries
are needed to achieve a repair. Dr.
Itengre also shared that fistula both ruins the lives of women and destroys families
as a woman with fistula can no longer fulfill her role as wife and mother. DFC’s
multidisciplinary team addresses the physical, psychological, psycho-social and
spiritual needs of the women, restoring the health and well-being that have
been destroyed by fistula. Laughter filled the air when the staff presented
skits of the administrative, surgical and nursing personnel. The highlight of the
entertainment was when a pair of large hedge trimmers were handed to the
“surgeon” for affecting surgery on his patient.
The joy-filled celebration ended with a celebratory mechoui meal of five
roasted lambs and two special birthday cakes
Cover photo
