BY EVETTA OBUYA

Migori County for years, hundreds of women in rural villages across Migori County silently endured the pain, shame, and isolation caused by obstetric fistula, a childbirth injury that leaves victims leaking urine or stool uncontrollably after prolonged obstructed labour.

Many suffered in silence, abandoned by friends, isolated from society, and unable to afford the costly corrective surgeries required to restore their lives.

Today, however, hope is slowly returning to many families through a coordinated intervention spearheaded by the Ministry of Health Kenya in partnership with the Migori County Government, development partners, and initiatives championed by Migori First Lady Dr. Agnes Ochilo.

At the centre of the campaign is Migori County Referral Hospital, where free fistula screening and corrective surgery programmes have transformed the lives of hundreds of vulnerable women drawn from Migori and neighbouring counties.

According to health experts, Clinical Officer Margey Ochieng, obstetric fistula is mainly caused by prolonged obstructed labour without timely emergency medical intervention such as Caesarean section. The condition remains prevalent in marginalized communities where access to quality maternal healthcare remains limited.

Data from the Ministry of Health indicates that Kenya records thousands of new fistula cases annually, while many women continue to suffer without treatment due to poverty and stigma.

Dr. Agnes Ochilo, through the Mama Agnes Ochilo Foundation, has emerged as one of the leading voices advocating for dignity and healthcare access for women affected by the condition from 2023 .

The foundation, working closely with health stakeholders, has supported awareness campaigns, patient mobilization, psychosocial support, and treatment initiatives targeting women living with fistula across the county.

In 2023, Migori County hosted one of its largest fistula treatment camps at the county referral hospital, bringing together partners including Amref Health Africa, the Flying Doctors Society of Africa, Safaricom Foundation, and the county government.

Women who had suffered for years finally received free reconstructive surgeries and counselling services aimed at helping them reintegrate into society.

Mama Magdaline Anyango one of the victims says that.

“ This disease is shameful to share with anyone, it makes me smell and no one ever wants to come close to me because of the filthy smell coming out of me, making me to remain stigmatized and hopeless in life,” she said.

Health officials say the intervention has significantly reduced stigma while encouraging more women to seek early treatment.

Speaking during previous fistula campaigns in Migori, Governor Ochilo Ayacko noted that many affected women were unable to access treatment because of the high cost of surgery and limited specialist services.

He emphasized the county government’s commitment to strengthening maternal healthcare services and expanding emergency obstetric care in sub-county hospitals to prevent new fistula cases.

Recent integrated fistula treatment programmes launched in Migori have also focused on strengthening healthcare systems, operationalizing theatres, and decentralizing maternal services closer to communities.

Medical experts involved in the programmes say fistula is not only a medical condition but also a social and psychological burden that destroys marriages, livelihoods, and self-esteem.

Some survivors narrated painful experiences of rejection and discrimination before accessing treatment. However, after successful surgery, many women are now rebuilding their lives, reconnecting with families, and participating in income-generating activities once again.

Health stakeholders have continued to call on expectant mothers to attend antenatal clinics and seek skilled birth attendance in health facilities to reduce complications during delivery.

In 2026, the Ministry of Health Kenya, together with the Migori County Government and initiatives championed by Dr. Agnes Ochilo, intensified the fight against obstetric fistula through several new programmes and interventions aimed at improving maternal healthcare and restoring dignity to affected women.

Some of the key programmes introduced in 2026 include the expansion of the Integrated Fistula Treatment Programme at Migori County Referral Hospital to provide free screening, corrective surgeries, counselling, and post-treatment rehabilitation services for women suffering from fistula.

The county also strengthened partnerships with organizations including M-PESA Foundation, Amref Health Africa, Flying Doctors Society of Kenya, and the Mama Agnes Ochilo Foundation to increase the number of women accessing treatment services across Migori and neighbouring counties.

Migori County also launched Phase Two of the fistula medical camp targeting more than 200 women through free surgeries and specialized reproductive healthcare services.

To reduce prolonged obstructed labour, which is the leading cause of fistula, the county operationalized and upgraded maternity theatres and emergency obstetric units in sub-county hospitals such as Rongo and Kehancha hospitals.

The county further constructed the Kehancha Mother and Child Complex to bring maternal and newborn healthcare services closer to residents of Kuria East and Kuria West.

Dr. Agnes Ochilo also intensified maternal health monitoring visits in maternity wards across the county to assess quality of care, hygiene standards, and safe delivery services.

Community sensitization programmes have also been expanded to encourage pregnant women to attend antenatal clinics, seek skilled birth attendance, and avoid home deliveries.

The county government further strengthened referral systems and digitized community health services to ensure expectant mothers with complications are quickly transferred to facilities with emergency obstetric care.

Improvement of water and sanitation infrastructure in health facilities and schools has also supported maternal and reproductive health programmes across the county.

Migori County has also dispatched ambulances to help women facing labour complications reach hospitals as quickly as possible during emergencies.

Corrective fistula surgeries have now been made free in public hospitals across Migori County.

The Mama Agnes Ochilo Foundation has also intensified awareness campaigns through television and radio stations using both local and international languages to educate communities about obstetric fistula and available treatment services.

The programmes has further introduced training for healthcare workers on screening, identification, diagnosis, and corrective surgery procedures for obstetric fistula patients.

Health officials say fistula treatment in public hospitals has now become a continuous service rather than a programmes offered only during medical camps. Patients diagnosed with the condition are now able to receive immediate treatment free of charge.

As Migori County intensifies maternal health campaigns, leaders and healthcare workers remain optimistic that continued partnerships, awareness creation, and investment in healthcare infrastructure will help eliminate obstetric fistula and restore dignity to affected women.

Women experiencing symptoms such as uncontrolled leakage of urine or stool, foul smell, or complications after childbirth are being urged to visit the nearest public hospital for free screening, diagnosis, and treatment.

Health officials emphasize that the entire treatment process is free and that no woman should continue suffering in silence.