FGM Survivors to Undergo Clitoral Reconstructive Surgery

Kenya: FGM (Female Genital Mutilation) Survivors in Kenya will undergo clitoral reconstructive surgery under the Restore Pink Plus Project.

“The initiative, which has been designed to assist FGM victims to undergo clitoral reconstruction (Clitoroplasty surgery) in order to restore their identity and dignity,” said  Dr. Abdullahi Adan, a Plastic, Reconstructive, and Aesthetic Surgeon at The Karen Hospital, who is the pioneer of Restore Pink Plus initiative.

The surgeries will be conducted at the  Karen Hospital which has embarked on an initiative dubbed Restore Pink Plus, which will see FGM survivors undergo clitoral reconstructive surgery.

Dr. Adan will be the lead surgeon together with Dr. Marci Bowers, Clitoraid’s Obstetrics/Gynecology surgeon (USA). Last week, the surgeons conducted capacity building training for other Kenyan doctors on the new surgery – Clitoroplasty – and issued certificates to the trainees who will join the surgical team to conduct the week-long surgeries set to begin today, Monday, 8th until 12th May 2017 at The Karen Hospital.

The surgery allows women who have undergone incision to regain back their clitoris and rejuvenate its sensation. It also allows for these women to go through counseling that is vital for the emotional healing due to the traumatizing effects of FGM in their early childhood.

In Kenya, one in five women aged 15-49 years have undergone FGM but the rate is much higher in some communities that believe the ritual is crucial for social acceptance and increasing their daughters’ marriage prospects.

“Indeed, it is a noble cause for the beneficiaries and even a greater chance to train and build capacity in a bid to increase anti- FGM efforts in future in other counties where FGM is still rampant, said Dr. Bowers Clitoraid’s Obstetrics/Gynecology surgeon (USA).’’

The Kenya Demographic Health Survey (KDHS) 2014 indicates that FGM is nearly universal in North Eastern region (98%) compared to Nyanza (32%), Rift Valley (27%), and Eastern regions (26%). The Western region recorded the lowest prevalence at 1%. However, the report indicates that as levels of awareness creation on the effects of FGM increases, the practice decreases among various communities.

 

Restore Pink Plus is an anti-FGM initiative that gives solutions to women who have already undergone FGM by providing clitoral reconstructive surgery for the purpose of restoring back their identity. This project is pioneered by Dr. Abdullahi Adan, a Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic surgeon based at The Karen Hospital. The surgery allows women who have undergone incision to regain back their clitoris and rejuvenate their sensation.

Dr. Adan Abdullahi is the Grand Round Coordinator, Department of Surgery, University of Nairobi, Consultant, Plastic Aesthetic, and Reconstructive Surgeon at The Karen Hospital and Kenyatta National Hospital, Chairman of National Council for Occupational Health and Safety, Lecturer Department of Surgery, College of Health Sciences, University of Nairobi, and Presents Continuous Medical Education on wounds and burns at Kenyatta National Hospital, The Karen Hospital and other forums for doctors and nurses.