Restoring Hope

The World Health Organization estimates that approximately 2 million women have untreated fistula and that approximately 100,000 women develop fistula each year.  Fistula is most prevalent in sub-Saharan Africa but women are susceptible to developing fistulas wherever there are insufficient emergency obstetric care systems. Fistulas can be caused by sexual violence or prolonged child labor in addition to lack of medical facilities. Labor lasting anywhere from one day onwards, with prolonged pressure to the bladder or rectum cuts off the blood circulation causing tissue necrosis. The death of the tissue in these areas leads to an opening, with uncontrollable leaking of urine and or feces through the vagina. Women with fistulas are often outcasts from their communities because of the smell associated with the leaking of urine, and in some cases abandoned by their husbands if they have not produced an “adequate” number of children. Chances for women’s fistulas to be repaired are slim, as many hospitals or health clinics do not have the proper tools or knowledge to carry out such a procedure. A fistula repair camp in Central African Republic 2010.