Putting training into practice
Bamako - After taking part in the Marie Stopes Ligation* (MSL) training in Kenya, Dr Mariam Diaucoumba and midwife Djenebou Kone performed their first MSL for MSI Mali at the Sougounikoura Centre in June.
In Mali, MSLs will be performed primarily in outreach settings, but the team did their first few cases at a centre to ensure a more controlled setting while they built up their confidence in doing the procedure on their own. Their first client was Mme Traoré Selikenè Diarra from Kati Malibougou, a small town 20km outside of Bamako. Selikenè is 34 years old and has seven living children; the eldest is 18 years old, the youngest six months.
She first came into contact with MSI Mali’s outreach team four months ago, when the team began visiting her local healthcare centre on a monthly basis. At first she considered using long-acting reversible contraception, but after discussions with her husband, decided it was better to go for a permanent solution.
“When there is poverty,” Selikenè told MSI Mali just before her surgery, “it is difficult to look after the children. At first, I just wanted to space my next child, but when I heard about having a MSL, I decided to stop all together.” Selikenè travelled the 20km with her husband and youngest daughter for the procedure in Bamako. In Mali, written permission from the husband is required in order for a woman to undertake a MSL.
Now that the team has had its first taste of success, they will be putting their newly acquired MSL skills to good use for many Malian women in the months ahead!
*Marie Stopes Ligation is Marie Stopes International's client focused approach to female sterlisation.