TORREWODE screens over 100 women for fistula in Kotido outreach

28 April 2026, 10:49 am

By Prosper Gibolo

Over 100 women and girls from the districts of Kotido, Kaabong and Abim have benefited from free fistula screening services.

The free screening exercise organised by TORREWODE in conjunction with Kotido District Health Department was held at Panyangara Health Centre III on Monday, April 27, 2027.

Out of 102, women and girls screened, eight were confirmed to be living with fistula and they will be transported to TORREWODE Women’s Hospital for free corrective surgery including feeding.

Stella Apio a community Fistula outreach officer at TORREWODE said that the two-day free screen exercise is part of the planned activities to mark the World Fistula Day commemorated to be celebrated in Serere District on May 23, 2026.

She described fistula as a condition that arises in women of child bearing age as a result of complications during child birth resulting in the rupture of the bladder, hence the continuous uncontrolled flow of urine or fecal matter usually after prolonged labour.

Maria Teko a mother of five children and a resident of Lokatap Rengen Sub County was happy to be selected among the women to receive free corrective fistula surgery, noting she developed fistula condition when she gave birth to her 5^th child in the hands of a Traditional Birth Attendant (TBA).

According to Dr. Yusuf Zacharia Lokiru the former Kotido hospital Administrator, women with the condition often shy away and live in isolation due the embarrassment that comes as a result of the condition.

In order to encourage women with fistula to come out, Dr. Lokiru said they are now using those who have benefited from free corrective surgeries as change agents, a strategy he said is yielding results as witnessed with high numbers of women turning up for screening exercise.

According to the program, a two-day free screening exercise was conclude at Kacheri Health Centre III and Panyangara Health Centre III respectively.