Gambia: CRR Health Personnel Trained On FGM

October 10, 2011
allAfrica.com
Lamin Sm Jawo


Janjangbureh — 35 health workers drawn from all parts of the Central River Region (CRR) recently concluded a three-day capacity building training on female genital mutilation (FGM) and its complications on pregnant women and childbirth. The training was held at the Regional Health Team's conference hall in Bansang, CRR south.

Speaking at the closing ceremony, Baba Njie, the Regional Health director of CRR said that FGM has long-term physical complications on women who are victims of it. He revealed that a community-based study indicated that FGM has physical complications such as damage to the perineum or anus, vulvas tumors, keloids as well as painful sex, infertility, etc.

Njie further explained that there are several complications in FGM; such as gynaecological complications, antenatal complication, complications in early labour, among others. Barra Njie, the Wassu Kafo Group training officer, revealed that a survey was conducted at all health facilities to assess the level of understanding of health personnel on FGM, which revealed that 50% of the health workers don't have knowledge about FGM and its complications to reproductive health.

"As a result, this programme is specifically designed for health personnel to identify and take care of patients of FGM related complications, which is being supported by UNFPA, UNICEF, WHO and University Authonomat in Barcelona. The Wasu Kafo is [assigned] to capacitate health workers, religious leaders, TBAs, influential people at community level," he explained.

He disclosed that Wassu Kafo is an international NGO focusing on research and has a branch in Spain. He said fertility goes with complications such as childbirth, tears in labour, prolonged labour, and that an obstructed labour can lead to still birth.

To read the full article on the allAfrica website, click here