Terrewode Women's Community Hospital, is a community hospital, under construction in

Uganda }), is a landlocked country in East Africa. The country is bordered to the east by Kenya, to the north by South Sudan, to the west by the Democratic Republic of the Congo, to the south-west by Rwanda, and to the south by Tanzania. The sou ...

, that specializes in the prevention, treatment, surgical correction and rehabilitation of

obstetric fistula Obstetric fistula is a medical condition in which a hole develops in the birth canal as a result of childbirth. This can be between the vagina and rectum, ureter, or bladder. It can result in incontinence of urine or feces. Complications may i ...

and its complications.

Location

The hospital is located in ''Awasi Village'', Arapai sub-county, in

Soroti District Soroti District is a district in Eastern Uganda. It is named after its chief municipal, administrative and commercial headquarters, Soroti, where the district headquarters are located. Location Soroti District is bordered by Amuria District to ...

, in the Eastern Region of

, approximately , by road, northwest of the town of

Soroti Soroti is a city in Eastern Region of Uganda. It is the main City, commercial, and administrative center in curved out of Soroti District, one of the nine administrative districts in the Teso sub-region. Soroti City was immediately approved ...

, the nearest large town. This is approximately , by road, northeast of

Kampala Kampala (, ) is the capital and largest city of Uganda. The city proper has a population of 1,680,000 and is divided into the five political divisions of Kampala Central Division, Kawempe Division, Makindye Division, Nakawa Division, and Ruba ...

, the national capital and largest city of Uganda.

Overview

In Uganda, obstetric fistula is a major public health problem with over 140,000 women living with fistula. At least 1,900 new cases of fistula are registered in the country, every year. The hospital sits on a piece of land, purchased with money from the ''Uganda Fistula Fund''. The objective of the hospital is to provide health services for obstetric fistula and other child birth-related injuries. It is modeled after the Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital, founded by Australian Obstetrician and Gynecologist, Catherine Hamlin. Terrewode, the Soroti-based

non-profit A nonprofit organization (NPO) or non-profit organisation, also known as a non-business entity, not-for-profit organization, or nonprofit institution, is a legal entity organized and operated for a collective, public or social benefit, in co ...

, has been active against obstetric fistula in the

Teso sub-region Teso sub-region (previously known as Teso District) is a sub-region in Eastern Region, Uganda that consists of: * Amuria District * Bukedea District * Kaberamaido District * Kapelebyong District * Katakwi District * Kumi District * Ngora District * ...

since 2002. More than 4,000 women have been supported by Terrewode in collaboration with the

Uganda Ministry of Health The Ministry of Health is a cabinet-level government ministry of Uganda. It is responsible for planning, delivering, and maintaining an efficient and effective healthcare delivery system, including preventive, curative, and rehabilitative service ...

United Nations Population Fund The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), formerly the United Nations Fund for Population Activities, is a UN agency aimed at improving reproductive and maternal health worldwide. Its work includes developing national healthcare strategies a ...

, Amref Health Africa and ''Gender Health''.

Construction

The first phase of construction is budgeted to cost US$1.6 million (approx. USh5.8 billion), and expected to last eight months. ''The International Fistula Alliance'' is funding this phase. ''Gabikan Engineering Limited Construction Company'' was selected as the contractor for phase 1, consisting of the main hospital block. The second phase, consisting the out-patient clinic, maternity department and staff quarters, will follow after the first, allowing the hospital to provide obstetric services.

Fundraising

In September 2017, the Speaker of the Uganda's parliament, received US$1 million from Ugandan diasporians, donated towards the construction of this hospital.

References

External links