The Devastating Reality of Obstetric Fistula: A Call to Action
Imagine living with a condition that leaves you in constant physical and emotional pain, isolated from your community, and abandoned by those you love. This is the harsh reality faced by thousands of women suffering from obstetric fistula, a debilitating and often preventable condition that affects millions worldwide. On the International Day to End Obstetric Fistula, Dr. Abubakar Said Kanya, Director of Family Health at the Jigawa State Ministry of Health, sounded the alarm on the devastating consequences of delayed access to emergency obstetric care.
Obstetric fistula, an abnormal opening between the birth canal and the bladder or rectum, is a painful and stigmatizing condition that can result from obstructed labor, cancer-related treatments, or other medical complications. Women living with fistula often face severe physical and psychological consequences, including chronic infections, persistent pain, and the inability to control leakage of urine or feces. The stigma surrounding the condition can lead to isolation, depression, and anxiety, with over 50% of affected women abandoned by their husbands.
The causes of obstetric fistula are multifaceted, ranging from obstructed labor to harmful traditional practices like female genital mutilation (FGM). Dr. Kanya emphasized that early warning signs, such as prolonged or obstructed labor, must be promptly addressed to prevent the condition. Risk factors, including malnutrition, fetal malposition, and large fetal size, must be identified and mitigated to reduce the incidence of obstetric fistula.
So, what can be done to prevent this devastating condition? According to Dr. Kanya, ensuring access to safe and timely emergency obstetric care is the most effective strategy. Family planning, adolescent and maternal nutrition, education, and women’s empowerment are also crucial in preventing recurrence after surgical repair. The Jigawa State Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the Ministry of Women Affairs, has revitalized the Safe Motherhood Initiative to combat obstetric fistula, offering emergency obstetric and newborn care, vesicovaginal fistula (VVF) surgeries, and rehabilitation services at Jahun General Hospital.
As we mark the International Day to End Obstetric Fistula, it is essential to recognize the progress made in addressing this condition. Since 2008, the state government, in partnership with Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders), has been providing critical interventions, performing an average of 300 VVF surgeries annually. However, more needs to be done to ensure that all women have access to quality healthcare and are empowered to make informed decisions about their reproductive health.
The fight against obstetric fistula requires a collective effort, and it is our responsibility to raise awareness, support affected women, and advocate for policies and programs that prioritize women’s health and empowerment. As Dr. Kanya aptly put it, "The most effective strategy to prevent obstetric fistula is ensuring access to safe and timely emergency obstetric care." Let us join forces to end this preventable tragedy and ensure that all women can live with dignity and respect.
