Over two million women in sub-Saharan Africa are suffering from obstetric fistula, a disease resulting from prolonged and obstructed
labour.
It leaves women ashamed and often isolated from their communities. It is a debilitating condition affecting approximately two million women and girls across Africa
and Asia.
According to Global Fistula Map report, Obstetric fistula or VVF occurs, when a woman involuntary leaks urine or faeces through her vagina, following complications of childbirth. This remains a silent tragedy that devastates lives. It is preventable and corrected through surgery.
Vesicovaginal fistula is a subtype of female urogenital fistula. VVF is an abnormal fistulous tract extending between the bladder and the vagina that allows the continuous involuntary discharge of urine into the vaginal vault. The development of obstetric fistula is directly linked to one of the major causes of maternal mortality: obstructed
labour.
Women, who experience obstetric fistula, suffer constant incontinence, shame, social segregation and health problems. Obstetric fistulas predominantly happen, when women do not have access to quality emergency obstetric care
services.
There are numerous challenges associated with providing fistula repair services in developing countries, including a scarcity of available and motivated surgeons with specialised skills, operating rooms, equipment and funding from local or international donors to support both surgery and post-operative
care.
Obstetric fistula is preventable; it can largely be avoided by delaying the age of first pregnancy, the cessation of harmful traditional practices; and timely access to obstetric
care.
Preventing and managing obstetric fistula contributes to the Millennium Development Goal 5 of improving maternal
health.
Over two million women afflicted with obstetric fistula in Africa – Report
