Obstetric Fistula

Approximately two million women worldwide suffer from an obstetric fistula, one of the most serious consequences of obstructed labour. A fistula is a hole between the vagina and the bladder or rectum, through which urine or faeces leak continuously. The injury is completely preventable and has almost disappeared in developed countries where there is universal access to obstetric care.  

Obstetric fistulas, most often the result of prolonged obstructed labor, is an opening that occurs between the bladder and the vagina, or between the rectum and the vagina and causes a woman to become incontinent, among other devastating medical and social consequences. According to the UN, an estimated two million women live with fistulas today—about half of them in Nigeria.

On March 8 and 9, MSF is organising a workshop in Geneva to improve the treatment of obstetric fistula. This condition, a cause of great shame, affects two million women worldwide, mostly in Africa.  Zanaba Amidou (16). “I have suffered a lot; I didn’t lose much blood, but I suffered. I didn’t want to get married, but myfather made me. Now I haven’t seen my husband for three months. My mother-in-law has been to visit me inthe fistula camp, but my husband has not. I know he is aware what has happened to me, and yet he has notdone anything for me." Photo: Sarah Elliott/MSF  "The sun should not rise or set twice on a woman in labour." Despite...