OBS GYN FISTULA

THE VVF ANNUAL NARRATIVE REPORT 2015

The following Jobs Exist at the facility;

Jobs: Communications Officer

Welcome to Kitovu Hospital, Masaka, Uganda
“In Christ we serve”

The current OPD Building constructed in 1955

The new Multipurpose building planned to replace the OPD at Kitovu Hospital

Kitovu Health Care Complex, known as St. Joseph’s Hospital, is located in Masaka town, Uganda, about 140km from the capital Kampala. It is a 248 bed Private Not for Profit (PNFP) Hospital, operating under the umbrella organization of the Uganda Catholic Medical Bureau (UCMB).

Kitovu is a general hospital offering:

• 24-hour emergency service
• Obstetrics/Gynecology
• Neo-Natal/Baby Unit
• Pediatrics
• Surgery
• Vesico-Vaginal Fistula Repair (VVF) and Prevention
• Pastoral Care
• Intern and Outreach Programs
• Laboratory Training School
• HIV/AIDS-programs
  (See History & Development Page for more information).

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By Sr. Dr. Maura Lynch

When Kitovu Fistula Camps (four regular camps per year) were first inaugurated, Barbara Doherty, wife of Dr. Peter Doherty (whose generosity built the first fistula repair unit in Uganda and was officially opened in 2005) suggested and funded that a new dress to be given to each repaired fistula lady on discharge.  As we dressed the happy women in their new dresses, it struck us that they also needed new panties to celebrate their renewed dignity after successful operations (when incontinent, the women with fistula used rags and plastic bags to hide their constant wetness).  I mentioned the need to other women as I fund-raised by relating the plight of the women with birth injury incontinence in Uganda.  Soon gifts of panties began to arrive by post to Kitovu and the “Panty Project” was born.  Up to the present, we receive gift packets of new panties mostly from my friends in Ireland (Yvonne and Mai) and through Church of Ireland in Kildare (and even “seconds” from other organizations and firms — F/F Tesco here sent us panties and bras).

And the excitement continues every time we distribute the lovely panties to each lady after repair.  She is discharged dry, happy and with new dignity to be re-inserted (re-integrated) into the community and social life from which she felt she was previously rejected and marginalized.

Treated and Rehabilitated Children

Nutrition Rehabilitation. Severely malnourished children are admitted at the hospital for nutrition rehabilitation and treatment. These go back healthy and happy. The care takers are also taught how to feed the children on a balanced diet using locally available foods. This has brought incredible results in the lives of hundreds of children. Every single dollar given towards this work saves lives.

Supporting children beyond nutrition:

These children go back home happy and are even enrolled in school. If you wish to support a needy child beyond nutrition rehabilitation, you can contact the projects office through the Complex Director.

Construction project. Kitovu Hospital is currently fundraising for the construction of a new multipurpose building to replace the Out Patient Department (OPD). The current OPD, which was constructed in 1955 by the Medical Missionaries of Mary, can not accommodate today’s growing patient population. This project will bring a number of services under one roof. It will include the medical ward, laboratory, data room, doctors’ offices and a conference room. The project will be constructed in phases. Water which will be harvested from this building will reduce the cost of water by approximately 40%. Below is the Architectural plan for the New OPD.

You can be part of the team to implement this project

Dr. John Kelly was a long-time friend and visiting fistula surgeon at Kitovu Hospital.  We will greatly miss his influence and expertise as well as his encouragement to keep fighting for the prevention of fistulas around the world.

Read more on Dr. Kelly

If you wish to make a donation in memory of Dr. Kelly for fistula work at Kitovu Hospital, please indicate this when making a donation through Medical Missionaries of Mary.