For five weeks during June and July, HEAL Africa brought in a VVF specialist to help reduce the number of patients awaiting fistula operations. Dr. Christina, originally from Holland, has been based in Kampala, Uganda for many years. She travels throughout Africa performing surgeries, and is very skilled in handling obscure and difficult fistula operations. During her time at HEAL Africa, Dr. Christina performed 75 fistula operations, often operating on three or four women per day. She had multiple doctors and nurses in the operating room with her at all times, training them as she operated. Her knowledge was greatly appreciated and her time at HEAL Africa was very important for the doctors, nurses and patients.

Dr. Christina also developed a very special bond with the fistula patients at HEAL Africa, many of whom had been awaiting their operations for months. When it was time for her leave, the patients sought her out, requesting pictures, singing songs and dancing for her. HEAL Africa is planning to invite Dr. Christina back to Goma in October, to continue the important and necessary work that she has started.