Uganda Camp Gives 21 Women Free Surgery for Birth Injuries

After living for more than eight years with a condition that left her isolated from her community, 35-year-old Daphine Amutuhaire finally got her life back. She was one of 21 women who received free surgery at Uganda Martyrs Hospital in Ibanda this month, ending years of silent pain from birth-related injuries.

The three-day surgical camp, organized by African Mission Healthcare and the hospital, focused on treating women suffering from obstetric fistula and severe perineal tears. These conditions often go untreated because women fear stigma and can't afford medical care.

Mackline Tusimire, 33, had endured a severe perineal tear for more than a year before the camp. "I could not freely express myself while in public because of the condition," she said. "I had lost hope because I did not have money for treatment, but today I feel relieved after receiving help."

Dr. Jjuko Mark, the obstetrician coordinating the camp, explained that many women suffer in silence because discussing reproductive health openly feels too difficult. "Women are usually shy to speak openly about conditions affecting their reproductive health, even to fellow women," he said. "This camp was intended to reach out to those who have remained silent and provide them with free treatment."

The numbers tell a sobering story. Health experts estimate that between 140,000 and 200,000 Ugandan women live with obstetric fistula, with roughly 1,900 new cases recorded each year. Severe perineal tears affect between 6% and 36.5% of vaginal deliveries, though many cases remain undiagnosed.

The Ripple Effect

This camp represents more than just 21 successful surgeries. It's breaking down the walls of shame that keep women from seeking help for treatable conditions.

By bringing care directly to communities and offering it free of charge, organizers are reaching women who might otherwise suffer for decades. Each woman treated can now participate fully in her community, work, and family life without pain or embarrassment.

Health workers at the camp are pushing for more awareness campaigns to fight the stigma around reproductive health. They're encouraging women to seek medical attention early, before conditions become severe.

For women like Amutuhaire and Tusimire, this camp didn't just heal their bodies—it gave them back their dignity and their place in the world.