Dr Bob Achila, a faculty member, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at AKU Medical College, East Africa has become the first doctor in Kenya to receive subspecialist recognition in the field of urogynaecology from the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC).
Dr Achila who is also an alumnus of AKU, trained in France and Japan and specialised in advanced minimal access surgery, urogynaecology and reconstructive pelvic surgery.
Acknowledging his appointment, Dr Achila said, “This recognition is an important milestone in the development of the urogynaecology subspecialty in the country and the region. I am aware that there is a great need in educating and informing the public on the availability of diagnostic and treatment options for urogynaecology disorders, most of which might not be costly or involve surgery. I will play my role to ensure that the public is aware about these disorders and the remedies available in the country.”
Dr Achila is currently the Section Head, Gynaecology in the department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. In addition, he is a member of the International Continence Society (ICS), as well as the international Urogynaecological Association (IUGA), where he serves in the advisory board for Africa.
Prof Lukoye Atwoli, Dean, AKU Medical College, East Africa said, “We are very proud of Dr Achila’s exemplary achievement. He now takes on the heavy responsibility of developing the field of urogynaecology in this region, and we look forward to working with him as he pursues his dreams.”
Urogynaecology is a subspecialty within Obstetrics and Gynaecology that is dedicated to the management of pelvic floor disorders in females. Such dysfunction often results in recurrent urinary tract infections, bowel and sexual function problems.
According to research published in the National Centre for Biotechnology Information journal estimates that about one-third of women suffer from pelvic floor disorders and up to one-tenth may experience fecal incontinence after childbirth. In addition, the Kenya Service Provision Assessment Survey by the Ministry of Health estimates that pelvic floor disorders affect about six per cent of Kenyans with women constituting about 75 percent of those suffering from the condition.
