Lacking resources, equipment cause surgery backlog at North Darfur hospital

Health authorities in North Darfur have revealed that there is a waiting list of 24 people who require surgery for urinary fistula* at the obstetrics and gynaecology section of El Fasher hospital.

The director of the fistula centre of the El Fasher hospital in the North Darfur capital, Dr Salih El Tahir Salih, told Radio Dabanga that the lack of material resources, medical devices, and equipment, is preventing the operations from being carried out.

He confirmed that the number of fistula patients registered at the centre this year is 24. Most are from the various states of Darfur, and some are from neighbouring countries, especially Chad.

He pointed out that there are fewer cases this year compared to 2016, during which about 94 operations were conducted in the centre.

Dr El Tahir said the centre is planning to organise a camp visit targeting 50 patients from various Darfur states on May 25.

* Urethrovaginal Fistula

A urethrovaginal fistula is an abnormal passageway between female urethra and vagina. The fistula most often develops after incontinence surgery, surgical treatment of urethral diverticulas, prolonged labour or obstetric interventions. Other causes include trauma (pelvic fractures, long-term catheterization), tumours or the complications of cancer treatment such as surgery and radiation. (Source: urology-texbook.com)