Patricia Akinyi is a 25-year-old woman from Mfangano Island in Homabay County, Kenya. She recently benefited from a free fistula repair, organised by Amref Health Africa in Kenya, together with UNFPA, M-Pesa Foundation, Beyond Zero Kenya, and the Flying Doctors Society of Africa, at Homabay County Referral Hospital. The camp provided screening, treatment, and surgery to help women regain their dignity. Patricia had lived with a fistula for over five years, and her sadness was clear to see.
Growing up, Patricia’s family struggled financially, so she could not attend school. A kind neighbour took her in so she could continue her education. But when Patricia was 16, the neighbour’s son took advantage of her, and she became pregnant, forcing her to leave school. She had to return to her parents, who could not afford to support her education. Because of this, Patricia’s schooling ended at grade six.
When Patricia was about to give birth, she was told to go to Homabay County Referral Hospital for a safe delivery. Because she was so young, she needed a cesarean section, but her family could not afford the cost. She had to give birth at home. The long and difficult labour caused her to develop an obstetric fistula. This serious condition left her feeling alone, sad, and without hope for her future.
Despite having a fistula, Patricia had four more children, which made her condition worse. She says she thought it was normal for women to leak stool after childbirth. She suffered quietly, facing stigma and being shunned by her community, who did not understand why she wet her clothes and smelled of urine. Her husband did not know about her fistula, but he believed she would always have the condition.
Patricia heard about the free fistula camp at Homabay County Referral Hospital on Ramogi Radio and decided to seek help. As a housewife with no income, and with her husband struggling to provide for the family, they barely got by. Patricia sold maize from her small wooden store to pay for her trip to the hospital. The next day, she set out, hoping to regain her dignity and self-worth.
Living on an island, Patricia could only travel by water bus or boat across Lake Victoria. The water bus came just once a day. She missed it the first day because her condition made it hard to walk quickly or use a motorcycle on the rough roads. She spent the night near the lake so she could catch the water bus early the next morning. As she crossed the calm waters, she felt a mix of hope and determination, looking to the horizon as a symbol of her future.
Patricia was admitted to the hospital and had surgery. She stayed in the ward for three days to recover. After being discharged, she could not go home right away due to financial difficulties. She stayed with a friend in Homabay town for two more weeks while her husband tried to find the money needed to bring her home.
Amref Health Africa and our partners are dedicated to helping women like Patricia who suffer from fistula. “We want to restore hope and help them smile again”. Women with fistula often face isolation, neglect, and discrimination, which makes it hard for them to take part in social and economic life. Besides treating fistula and helping women regain their dignity, we also look for ways to support their financial stability. We offer psychosocial support and help women who run or want to start businesses by teaching them business and entrepreneurship skills.
We actively reintegrate women into village learning and savings groups, ensuring they can fully participate and rebuild their lives after treatment. By supporting their return to these key community networks, we give them the resources and encouragement they need for long-term recovery and empowerment. Our efforts also engage men and boys in the household, fostering a supportive environment that makes women feel truly welcome back home. However, persistent challenges remain: delayed and obstructed labour, reliance on traditional birth attendants, financial barriers, remote locations, myths, and patriarchal norms all continue to hinder women’s access to essential reproductive, maternal, child, and newborn health services.
Author: Noah Wekesa – Digital Communications and Engagement Officer, Amref Health Africa.