Enhancing Maternal Health: Insights from Our Master Student's Visit to KCMC, Moshi, Tanzania 🏔️👩🏻‍⚕️

In the world of global health, the journey toward improving maternal health outcomes is an ongoing challenge, especially in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Earlier this year, one of our master's students, Marjolein Wolbers, had fieldwork experience at KCMC Hospital in Moshi, Tanzania. This visit aimed to address a critical issue: iatrogenic fistula, a preventable injury that significantly impacts women's lives during childbirth.

Understanding Iatrogenic Fistula

Iatrogenic fistula is often a result of complications during cesarean sections. Women in LMICs can suffer from this condition for years, facing high morbidity rates, social isolation, and stigma that can lead to devastating consequences, such as divorce. Marjolein's project focuses on creating a solution that not only addresses the physical aspects of this issue but also seeks to empower healthcare providers through better training.

By simulating real-life scenarios, her training phantom aims to improve the skills of healthcare professionals and ultimately lead to better maternal health outcomes.

Fieldwork Experience

During her three weeks at KCMC, Marjolein had the opportunity to test her prototype, observe cesarean sections, and engage in meaningful interviews with doctors and trainees. This experience provided her with invaluable insights into the complexities of maternal health in Tanzania. The feedback she gathered will be instrumental in refining her model, ensuring it meets the needs of healthcare providers in similar settings.

Read more here.