Anifa Adhiambo, a 32-year-old mother of three (3) living in Mwiki, in Nairobi. She developed fistula in 2021 after undergoing a hysterectomy. Anifa had been diagnosed with cervical cancer that warranted the hysterectomy. After undergoing the surgery, she had hoped to live a fulfilling life only to realize during her recovery that she was unable to control her urine flow.
Hoping for treatment, Anifa went back to the hospital with hope that she would find a solution to the newly found problem. Unfortunately, the cost of treatment was too high for her to afford, and she resigned to the fact that this was her new life. She gave up on finding a solution.
Resigned to her fate, Anifa found ways to manage her new status. She isolated herself from friends and relatives and only confided in her husband who was extremely supportive. It was their family’s secret. Anifa could not host, neither could she attend any social gatherings for fear of making a mess and embarrassing herself. She could neither work because of her situation which often left her reeking of urine. This therefore meant that she could not afford diapers to shield herself leaving her to use rags and pieces of clothe which often resulted in burns and sores in her private parts and limiting her movement. Anifa’s only consolation was that at least she had her husband’s support who would often help her clean up after making a mess and feign not smelling the pungent smell that often engulfed their house.
One afternoon while going about her day at home, Anifa heard on Radio Citizen about the medical camp in Webuye county. She decided to take a chance and call the number that was being shared. Upon making the call, she shared her problem and was invited to the medical camp, unfortunately she could not afford the fare and missed the opportunity. She however did not lose hope as she now knew there was a solution for her problem. When she heard about the medical camp in Thika, she was determined to attend it. She arrived at Thika Level 5 Hospital on 10th June. She was screened and approved for surgery. Anifa successfully went under the knife on 11th June 2024 and is overjoyed with her progress.
She is grateful to M-PESA Foundation, the Flying Doctors Society of Africa, and Royal Media Services for the help she and women like her have received. She regrets not speaking up to get the correct information earlier and urges all suffering from fistula to be open and seek help.
