Ministry of Health on alert as flu cases rise

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.

Around three million people live with diabetes in the country. According to the Minister of Health, Armindo Tiago, the increase in cases is serious and calls for the reinforcement of health care.

Diabetes continues to affect more people and cause deaths in the country, in a context in which health authorities estimate that there are at least three million inhabitants living with the disease, according to the Minister of Health, Armindo Tiago.

“If we do not take preventive measures against chronic diseases, the future will be bleak for future generations. The prevalence of diabetes in the country is increasing and at a serious rate”, he said.

Armindo Tiago was speaking this Saturday in Maputo City, on the sidelines of a fair held with the aim of promoting good health habits.
At the event, the government official also warned about the need for prostate cancer screening, as part of Blue November.

“Prostate cancer is one of the clinical conditions that kills the most men in terms of malignant diseases, so it is our joint duty to ensure that prevention messages are being used by everyone in our country.”

Data from the World Health Organization indicate that prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in men, after lung cancer. It is estimated that one in six men has the disease.