Luanda – Angolan minister of Health Sílvia Lutucuta Monday in Luanda appealed to women with fistula problems and citizens with hydrocephalus to join the massive surgery campaign.
The minister said women with this disease suffer a lot of stigma and discrimination, in many cases leading to depression and disintegration in society.
Sílvia Lutucuta noted that only 6 patients with hydrocephalus remain to be operated on, but that the sector is aware of the existence of many patients with this pathology.
To date, 313 surgeries have been performed for obstetric fistulas and 55 for hydrocephalus.
A fistula can occur in the most varied locations, the most common being in the digestive, urinary, reproductive and circulatory systems. They are very common, and almost always treatable, with a favorable prognosis.
Hydrocephalus is, in general terms, the accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid inside the cranial cavity (in the ventricles or in the subarachnoid space), which, in turn, increases the intracranial pressure on the brain, which may cause injuries in brain tissue, with enlargement and swelling of the skull.
Speaking to the press, the minister stressed that, compared to other pathologies, there is a poor adherence of patients with fistula and hydrocephalus problems to carry out these surgeries.
“There are only 10 days left for the end of the campaign and the increase in these surgeries has become a challenge for the sector, making it necessary for the message to reach these women and families with children with hydrocephalus”, she stressed.
Sílvia Lutucuta praised the work and said that so far 2,292 surgeries have already been performed, surpassing the recommended target.
The campaign appears to help alleviate the surgical waiting list, which is long, taking into account the great pressure on health care units.
Several Luanda-based health units are carrying out surgeries as part of the massive campaign.
They include Lucrécia Paim, Cardinal Dom Alexandre, Josina Machel, General Hospital of Luanda, Prenda Clinic and Américo Boavida hospital.
The range of surgeries includes hernias, closure of colostomies, urology, hydrocephalus, cleft lip, fistulas. EVC/SS
Source: Angola Press News Agency