Vesico-vaginal fistula (VVF) services

A vesico-vaginal fistula (VVF), often simply called fistula, is an abnormal opening between the bladder and the vagina that causes a continuous, involuntary leaking of urine. It is the result of long and obstructed labour.

The fistula clinic was established so that women can access treatment for obstetric fistula. The programme carries out surgery to correct childbirth-related injuries, including vesico-vaginal fistula repairs, perineal repairs, vaginoplasty and ureteric fistula repairs.

Under the programme CoRSU runs community outreaches, transports patients from their home districts to the hospital and back home, carries out surgery and covers other direct costs, at no fee to the patients.

Patients usually come from eight districts: Apac, Ngora, Kaberamaido, Amolatar, Dokolo, Alebtong, Oyam and Pallisa. Outreach activities are carried out in coordination with the District Health Officer in each district.

Women are mobilised by a team of dedicated community mobilisers based in the districts, some of whom are former fistula patients. The mobilisers take part in the outreach clinics run by the CoRSU fistula surgeon and community staff. They also help to organise transport for women who are scheduled for surgery, and they travel with each group to CoRSU.