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HIV/AIDS

Normally we admit fistula patients without screening for HIV/AIDS, unless they present with indicative clinical signs and symptoms. The fistula patient known to have HIV/AIDS receives appropriate counseling and testing before surgery.

The counseling is according to government protocol, which includes both pre- and post-blood test counseling.

Patients who are found to be positive are profoundly traumatized as they are already dealing with deep seated multiple loses, so gentle and loving care and attention is provided.

We refer patients who live in Addis Ababa to a hospital with well established HIV/AIDS programmes and where anti-retroviral drugs are supplied. We also give them money for rent and food each month. We provide those coming from the countryside with a referral letter and transportation money in order to start treatment in their own area.

Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C)

This term refers to any form of surgical interference in the normal external genitalia of a female child or woman. The operator cuts, deforms, or removes without medical cause the labia majorum, labia minorum or clitoris for traditional, religious, social, or aesthetic reasons. This is a crime against humanity in general and women in particular and must be stopped.

Some of our patients are victims of FGM/C. During the birth process the soft tissues of their external vaginal openings can be badly torn requiring extensive repairs sometimes involving the rectum and the urethra. These are not obstetric fistulae, these are childbirth injuries. We have done a study that demonstrates that FGM/C does not cause or contribute to obstetric fistula which is almost always caused by obstructed labour.