Niger Fistula

Throughout Africa, millions of women do not have access to proper medical care during pregnancy, due to a lack of medical facilities, shortage of doctors and nurses, a lack of medications, or the inability to get to a clinic in time to be helped.

(Click on the photos to view a larger version.)

As a result, a horrendous condition called fistula often is found in women who have experienced a prolonged obstructed labor without any medical assistance. Simply put, the wall between the bladder and vagina or between the rectum and vagina is damaged by the prolonged pressure of the baby’s head, and a fistula, or hole, develops. Consequently, the woman leaks urine and there is sometimes no control of feces. In nearly every case of fistula, the baby dies. The woman is often ostracized by her husband, her family, and her village. She is now an outcast in society.

In the west African country of Niger, there are countless young women with this problem. According to United Nations figures, there are only six doctors in Niger who are qualified to operate on women with fistula. In a country of 11 million people with only 414 doctors, this is not an unusual circumstance. But for the women affected by fistula, it is a desperate situation with little hope to be able to be restored to a normal life.

The Women's Dignity Project proclaims, "Urgent action is needed to ensure that every girl and woman with fistula gets treatment and reclaims her dignity. Prevention efforts must be strengthened so that in the future fistula does not occur. Girls and women deserve no less."

The photos you see here are from Dr. Kristin Keefe’s trip to Niger in April 2004.

(Click on the photos to view a larger version.)

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