Overview
May 23 is the United Nations’ (UN) International Day to End Obstetric Fistula, which promotes action towards treating and preventing obstetric fistula, a condition that affects many girls and women in developing countries. In its resolution A/RES/67/147, the General Assembly calls on the international community to use the International Day to significantly raise awareness and intensify actions towards ending obstetric fistula.
Obstetric fistula is one of the most serious and tragic injuries that can occur during childbirth. It is a hole between the birth canal and the bladder or rectum caused by prolonged, obstructed labour without treatment.
Did you know?
- Obstetric fistula is one of the most serious and tragic childbirth injuries.
- 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.
- Hundreds of thousands of women and girls in sub-Saharan Africa, Asia, the Arab region, and Latin America and the Caribbean are living with this injury.
- Women who experience this preventable condition suffer constant urinary incontinence, which often leads to social isolation, skin infections, kidney disorders and even death if left untreated.
- A surgery can repair the injury with success rates as high as 90% for less complex cases.
- The average cost of this treatment, which includes surgery, post-operative, care and rehabilitation support, is $600 per patient.
Women’s rights are human rights! End fistula now!
More Info: https://www.un.org/en/observances/end-fistula-day
