The Fistula problem

Throughout the world one in every twe


An operation to repair a fistula in progress.


Young, happy cured patients - ready to go home
nty pregnant women has difficulty in childbirth or suffers obstructed labour. But in western countries, today, women can successfully deliver a child with medical assistance or by caesarean section.

In developing countries, pregnancy and childbirth present a far higher risk. People live in remote and often inaccessible areas. Prenatal care is limited. If problems occur during labour, swift transport to hospital or for medical assistance is almost impossible. In countries such as Ethiopia, where the roads are few, the terrain is rugged, and medical help is not readily available, a mother with a small or malformed pelvis or a badly positioned child may be in labour for five or more days without help.

As a result of prolonged and obstructed labour, the woman's bladder or vagina is torn so that a hole or fistula is caused in the bladder, and sometimes in the rectum. Usually the baby is stillborn. When fistulae occur, the woman is unable to control the flow of urine or excreta. Because of the objectionable smell associated with the condition, these women are mostly rejected by husband and family. They become social outcasts and have a deep sense of rejection and "shame".

The use of surgery to deal with the condition is a relatively recent development. While there are no accurate statistics available, there are estimates that as many as three million women suffer from this problem throughout the developing countries of the world.

Most of the women treated at the Fistula Hospital are able to return to a normal lifestyle with restored dignity. Some are able to have a child and experience the happy role of a parent.

Whilst there is a huge unmet need for surgery, it is equally urgent to provide the health education and pre-natal care that are able to prevent the cause of the suffering.