New curriculum for midwives launched

prolonged labour.

The curriculum was officially launched last week in Arusha, Tanzania on the sidelines of the just ended Health Ministers’ conference.

Obstetric fistula is one of the most serious injuries of delivery following prolonged labour, which leaves a hole in the vagina or rectum. Urinary and fecal incontinence, foul smelling vaginal discharge, repeated vaginal or urinary tract infection, irritation or pain in the vagina or surrounding areas and pain during sexual activity are some of the signs and symptoms of obstetric fistula.

Speaking after the launch of the curriculum, director of nursing services in the Ministry of Health and Child Welfare Mrs Cynthia Chasokela said the curriculum had latest information and techniques a nurse or midwife could use to prevent and manage prolonged labour.

She said although nurses and midwives were taught during their training on management of this condition, the curriculum emphasises on its prevention.

“The curriculum came at the right time when we are reviewing our training curriculum for midwives and we will definitely incorporate prevention and management of obstetric fistula,” said Mrs Chasokela.

Health and Child Welfare Minister Dr Henry Madzorera, who was also present at the launch of the obstetric fistula curriculum, said some of the threats to effective prevention and management of fistula was lack of skilled workers and transport to refer pregnant women accordingly.

Dr Madzorera said when a health worker realised that a woman had been in labour for a long period they should refer for Caesarian section to prevent complications such as obstetric fistula.
He said labour should not take more than eight hours.

Officially launching the curriculum, Kenya’s Public Health and Sanitation Minister Beth Mugo, who is also ECSAHC chairperson, described obstetric fistula as a failing health system.

“Most women, who develop obstetric fistula during child birth, do so because they did not receive optimal care,” Minister Mugo said.
About two million women in the world are living with obstetric fistula, majority of who are in Sub-Saharan Africa.