Consultório Médico Esperança: Pioneer in Health and Community Development in Vilankulo

The Ministry of Health (MISAU) issued an alert yesterday about the occurrence of Acute Respiratory Infections (ARI), also known as flu syndromes, caused mainly by respiratory viruses, such as Influenza, respiratory syncytial and SARS COV-2.

In a press release, MISAU states that in Mozambique these infections occur throughout the year, with an increase in cases from January to April, peaking in March, and from June to September, peaking in August.

Therefore, it is recommended to reinforce flu prevention measures such as cough etiquette, reinforcement of individual and collective hygiene, regular disinfection or washing of hands and use of masks for individuals with acute respiratory symptoms.

At least four thousand women contract obstetric fistula every year in the country. Cases of the disease tend to increase and specialist doctor Igor Vaz speaks of the need to strengthen the health system in remote areas so that there are more safe births.

Obstetric fistula is a serious complication that occurs during childbirth, characterized by a rupture in the tissue that separates the bladder from the female reproductive system, which causes the woman to urinate or even defecate uncontrollably, leading to stigma and discrimination.

From an apparently normal birth, Maria Joaquina, a fictitious name, born in Massinga, in the province of Inhambane, aged 19, suffered unmistakable after-effects.

“I always woke up wet. When I went to the bathroom, I realized that afterwards I would get all wet, and it wasn"t water, it was urine, said the young woman who lost her baby during childbirth, and since then, she, the mother, started using disposable diapers, as she could not control her urine.

A disease that appears after long births or obstructions during childbirth, as explained by Igor Vaz, a specialist doctor.

"When the baby leaves the uterine cavity to the outside, it passes through the vaginal canal. When it comes out quickly, it can tear some tissues. If it stays in the birth canal for too long, the baby"s head compresses the tissue of the female pelvis against the bones. These tissues lose circulation and end up dying. From then on, there begins to be loss of urine, feces, or both”, said Igor Vaz.

Obstetric fistula is still unknown to many women, who suffer in silence.

12 years ago, Josefa Luís, another patient, lost the ability to control her biological needs, shortly after the birth of her first child. She had three more and only in 2018, seven years later, did she learn that she suffered from obstetric fistula.

Trauma, depression and isolation are some of the marks left by the disease.

Data from the Ministry of Health indicate that, annually, more than four thousand women contract obstetric fistula throughout the country, of which at least five hundred undergo surgery.

On average, the surgery takes between one and six hours, and is, in 80 percent of cases, the definitive solution to the problem, according to specialist doctor Igor Vaz.

World Fistula Day is celebrated annually on May 23rd, with the aim of promoting countries commitment to eliminating the disease and reflecting on the progress achieved.