A New Lease on Life: Free Urology Surgery Camp Brings Relief.
By Hajira Halilu, Administration and Communications Officer (IHAM)
A groundbreaking partnership between Zomba Central Hospital and the Islamic Health Association of Malawi (IHAM) has delivered life-changing relief to patients suffering from urinary obstruction conditions. Over five days, 41 patients underwent 84 successful procedures—free of charge.
For Colesi, a 65-year-old from Ntcheu district, the camp brought hope after nearly a decade of pain and limitations. Diagnosed with an enlarged prostate in 2017, he had lived with a catheter ever since—unable to farm or do casual work to support his family. “I have been using a catheter since then, and this has affected my ability to provide for my family,” he shared.
Colesi had been referred to Zomba Central Hospital years earlier but faced indefinite delays due to a shortage of surgical supplies. That changed in March 2025, when he was contacted for surgery as part of the IHAM-supported camp.
Led by Dr. Wanangwa Chisenga, Chief Urologist at Zomba Central Hospital, the camp aimed to alleviate the backlog of patients needing urological surgery. “We have over 500 patients waiting for this service. This camp targeted 50 patients—not enough to clear the list, but a step forward,” Dr. Chisenga said.
The scale of the challenge is daunting. Malawi has only three urologists, and such surgeries are offered only at Kamuzu and Zomba Central Hospitals. That’s what makes this initiative so critical—and so impactful.
IHAM Vice Chairman Riaz Khadba praised the partnership’s success and reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to healthcare delivery. He also announced another upcoming camp in April 2025, in collaboration with Physicians Across Continents, focusing on both urology and general surgery.
“These camps help bridge the healthcare gap in our country,” said IHAM Executive Director. “By providing access to specialized care, we bring hope and dignity back to people’s lives.”
For patients like Colesi, the transformation is deeply personal. “I was overjoyed when I was told I would finally have surgery. To think I can urinate freely again, after all these years—it’s a feeling I can’t describe,” he said, visibly emotional.
As Malawi continues to grapple with healthcare resource challenges, partnerships like that between IHAM and Zomba Central Hospital prove that collaborative action can drive real, life-changing results.
