Success! Ritah from Uganda raised $547 to fund treatment for a fistula.

100%

$547 raised, $0 to go

$547

raised

to go

Ritah's story
Ritah's update

September 23, 2017

Ritah is a 41-year-old woman from Uganda. She works as a volunteer administrator at a baby’s home, and also grows beans, sorghum, and potatoes.

Ritah was diagnosed with a fistula, which is a connection between organs that should not be connected and is a condition especially common in women. A doctor has recommended surgical treatment.

In her free time, Ritah enjoys visiting babies in children’s homes to counsel them and offer material support, like the food that she grows. Ritah also enjoys visiting adolescents in schools to offer advice. Ritah hopes to visit communities to educate women about fistulas so that they can seek treatment. Her own treatment is scheduled for September 30.

Ritah said, “I thank donors for supporting my treatment and I pray God to protect them in everything they do to support the ladies out of their problems.”

Watsi is requesting $547 to help fund Ritah’s procedure.

Ritah is a 41-year-old woman from Uganda. She works as a volunteer administrator at a baby's home, and also grows beans, sorghum, and potato...

Photo of Ritah post-operation

October 9, 2017

Ritah underwent treatment for a fistula.

After treatment, Ritah feels much more comfortable than before. Ritah hopes to continue her charity work of visiting orphanage homes and adolescents in schools.

She says, “I thank donors so much…I pray God to bless donors for everything they do to support people in need like me.”

After treatment, Ritah feels much more comfortable than before. Ritah hopes to continue her charity work of visiting orphanage homes and ado...

September 23, 2017
PROFILE SUBMITTED
Ritah was submitted by David Wamuwaya at The Kellermann Foundation.
September 26, 2017
PROFILE PUBLISHED
Ritah's profile was published to start raising funds.
September 30, 2017
TREATMENT OCCURRED
Ritah received treatment at Bwindi Community Hospital in Uganda. Medical partners often provide care to patients accepted by Watsi before those patients are fully funded, operating under the guarantee that the cost of care will be paid for by donors.
October 9, 2017
TREATMENT UPDATE
Ritah's treatment was successful. Read the update.
January 8, 2018
FULLY FUNDED
Ritah's treatment was fully funded.

Funded by 1 donor

Treatment

Fistula

Cost Breakdown
Diagnosis
Procedure

On average, it costs $547 for Ritah's treatment

Hospital Fees

$324

Medical Staff

$51

Medication

$20

Supplies

$118

Labs

$34

Symptoms
Impact on patient's life
Cultural or regional significance

What kinds of symptoms do patients experience before receiving treatment?

Women with a vesicovaginal fistula experience urinary dysfunction. They may also experience infection and soreness. Women with a rectovaginal fistula experience excretory dysfunction. They may also experience recurrent vaginal or urinary tract infections, irritation, pain, and sexual difficulty.

What is the impact on patients’ lives of living with these conditions?

This condition often leads to chronic medical problems, depression, social isolation, and deepening poverty. Fistula survivors are some of the most marginalized women in the world. They tend to live in extreme poverty in remote areas without the basic emergency care needed to treat an obstructed labor.

What cultural or regional factors affect the treatment of these conditions?

The 2011 Uganda Demographic Health Survey estimated that there are between 140,000 to 200,000 women living with a fistula in Uganda. Despite the large number of women with fistulas, social stigma often makes it difficult to identify them. Additionally, women who do not understand the causes of fistula or the possibility of repair may not seek treatment. Others may avoid health facilities altogether. Radio announcements, village health teams, and community leaders can help women come forward.

Process
Impact on patient's life
Risks and side-effects
Accessibility
Alternatives

What does the treatment process look like?

After the patient arrives at the hospital, she will be admitted by the outpatient department. A clinical officer will review the patient’s file and refer her to a gynecologist for examination. The gynecologist will take the patient's history, examine the patient to determine the extent of the injury and damage, and order relevant tests. He or she will counsel the patient about the surgery and recovery. Surgery will be scheduled. On the day prior to surgery, the patient will be admitted to the hospital. Consent for surgery will be obtained. The patient will be taken to the theater at her scheduled time, and surgery will be performed. After surgery, the patient will be monitored every 30 minutes for four hours. She will stay in the hospital for approximately two weeks. She will receive counseling about the outcome of the surgery and what to expect from recovery.

What is the impact of this treatment on the patient’s life?

Undergoing a fistula repair surgery can completely change a woman’s life. She will rejoin her community and family and begin planning for her future.

What potential side effects or risks come with this treatment?

Sometimes, fistula surgeries are not successful. More complicated fistulas may require multiple attempts to repair. Other postoperative complications include hemorrhage, infection, anuria, wound breakdown, residual incontinence, hematometra, and urethral and vaginal strictures.

How accessible is treatment in the area? What is the typical journey like for a patient to receive care?

There are approximately 18-20 medical facilities that can perform fistula surgery in Uganda. The nearest alternative to Bwindi Community Hospital is over a two-hour drive away on mountainous, dirt roads. Patients typically arrive at Bwindi Community Hospital by foot or motorcycle taxi.

What are the alternatives to this treatment?

There are no treatment alternatives.

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Ritah's Timeline

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Funded by 1 donor

Treatment

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100% of your donation funds life-changing surgery.