At the age of 14, Milene, a girl from a village in the Congolese rainforest, was pregnant for the first time. When she went into labour, there were complications: The child was stuck in the birth canal. A caesarean section was urgently needed. The traditional birth attendant waited far too long before she finally sent the girl to the clinic. There Milene had a healthy baby girl. Everything seemed fine, but a little later Milene could no longer hold her urine. The child's head had been pressing on the vaginal wall for too long, the tissue had given way, Milene had a fistula. But no one could help her.
Risk of an unprofessionally attended birth
In Congo, gynaecological fistulas are not uncommon. They are caused by injuries to the bladder, the intestine or the vaginal opening when the abdomen is injured during childbirth, as was the case with Milene. Home births without skilled assistance, very young women becoming pregnant and also rape are responsible for the formation of fistulas. The consequences are severe inflammation and pain, uncontrollable excretion of urine and unpleasant odours. Those affected are often disowned and shunned by their families and become poorer and poorer.
Operations for women with fistula
Dr Claude Idring'i is a doctor at the hospital in Rwankole. He learned to operate on fistulas from Difäm partner Dr Denis Mukwege at Panzi Hospital in Bukavu. Now he also performs these operations in his hospital. Many affected women and girls do not even know that help is available. In order to reach them even in the most remote villages, Dr Claude's clinic broadcasts information on the radio and sends out staff to educate them. This is how Milene became aware of the possibility of an operation. As the young woman is very poor and her husband has left her in the meantime, the hospital paid for the transport to Rwankole. The operation and the stay at the hospital as well as a hygiene kit were also financed with the support of DIFÄM.
In the meantime, Milene has returned to her village and can lead a self-determined life again. Together with her daughter, she lives in her parents' hut, helps in the fields and sells vegetables on the market.
Supporting Denis Mukwege's work in Congo
Dr. Mukwege's work is leaving its mark everywhere in eastern Congo. Young doctors are trained as specialists in his clinic and pass on their knowledge even in remote regions. Denis Mukwege has been a partner of DIFÄM for many years. Dr Mukwege was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his tireless work for women's health and rights in Congo. DIFÄM supports his work by financing fistula operations, equipping clinics, laboratories and health facilities as well as by providing further training for medical staff.
