“During my residence training at Mbarara University of Science and Technology, I participated in several of Medicine For Humanity’s sponsored fistula surgical programs. I became concerned about how women, their families, and their communities were devastated by obstetric fistula. Women with this condition are often young – in their early twenties and the majority of them are burdened by fistula after their first delivery. Upon admission to MfH’s Centre for Gynecologic and Fistula Care their faces are pale, the light in their eyes is dim, and the narration of medical history on how they got the fistula (and in most incidences – lost a baby, became abandoned by their partners due to their inability to hold urine or stool) fill the doctor’s office (and everyone in it) with sadness. Two to three short weeks later, after a successful fistula repair, while discharging these women: the joy, excitement and beaming faces that fill the same doctor’s office can only be compared to the excitement in our childhood memories of a Christmas holiday – filled with merrymaking and opening gift boxes of colorful toys.

Towards the end of my residence (October 2019), I was selected as a successful applicant to undertake training in Urogynaecology under the Medicine For Humanity Urogynaecology Leadership Fellowship at Mbarara University of Science and Technology. It’s challenging, demanding, and yes, there is a lot to learn from the most skilled fistula surgeons but it is the most rewarding path in my career. I am glad to be part of a team dedicated to restoring the dignity, hope, and self–esteem of Ugandan women through free-of-charge obstetric fistula repair.”

Dr. Paul Kato is also receiving additional funding from Medicine for Humanity for his research on “Incidences of Re-Marriage, Live Childbirth, and Recurrence of Incontinence Among Women that Underwent Obstetric Fistula Repair at Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital from 2010-2019.”