By Josephine Sesay

As the world prepares to mark the International Day to End Obstetric Fistula on May 23, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Health have joined forces to raise awareness about this devastating yet preventable childbirth injury.

Obstetric fistula is a serious medical condition caused by prolonged, obstructed labor without timely medical intervention. It results in a hole between the birth canal and the bladder or rectum, leading to chronic incontinence. Beyond its physical impact, the condition causes severe social stigma, emotional trauma, and isolation for affected women particularly in low-resource settings like Sierra Leone.

Obstetric fistula is more than a health issue it is a development crisis and a grave human rights concern, said a spokesperson for UNFPA Sierra Leone, no woman should suffer the indignity of leaking urine or faeces simply because she lacked access to quality maternal healthcare.

Globally, it is estimated that more than two million women are living with untreated fistula, with up to 100,000 new cases emerging annually. Shockingly, only 1 in 50 women receive the treatment they need due to lack of awareness, insufficient resources, and limited access to health services.

To combat this, UNFPA and the Ministry of Health are spearheading outreach activities aimed at educating communities on the causes, consequences, and treatments of obstetric fistula. These efforts include community sensitization campaigns, medical outreach programs, and advocacy initiatives designed to break the silence surrounding the condition.

The campaign emphasizes the critical role of sexual and reproductive health services, access to contraception, and the presence of skilled birth attendants and emergency obstetric care in both preventing and treating fistula, women living with the condition are encouraged to seek care, as reconstructive surgery is available and often life-changing but underutilized due to stigma and lack of information, the Global Campaign to End Fistula, led by UNFPA and active in over 55 countries, continues to champion prevention, treatment, and reintegration for affected women.

The campaign’s core message is clear: ending obstetric fistula is not only a health imperative, but a matter of restoring dignity, opportunity, and hope, this year’s observance underscores a powerful message, access to quality maternal healthcare is not a privilege it is a fundamental human right.

Copy right –Printed in the Expo Times News on Wednesday, May 28TH, 2025 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)