What is a Fistula?
Stories | September 1, 2020
What is a fistula? A medical condition characterised by an abnormal connection or passage that forms between two organs or vessels that don’t usually connect, or between an organ and the skin. This irregular pathway can result from childbirth, infection, injury, surgery or certain diseases, such as inflammatory bowel conditions.
Fistulas can occur in various parts of the body, including the digestive tract, between blood vessels, and in the areas surrounding the anus and the genitalia.
A three-year program focused on:
- Better healthcare for women and girls;
- Community awareness and advocacy; and
- Training of healthcare workers in remote villages.
Nigeria has the world’s highest rates of fistula with over half a million women living with this treatable and preventable condition. Poverty, lack of healthcare access and cultural practices have exacerbated this situation.
“Women who have lost their baby during childbirth and then are diagnosed with fistula need our help and love more than anyone.” – Emelda, Head of Nursing Services at one of CBM’s partner hospitals.
“They might hide for years and years. Sometimes their husbands abandon them, leaving these vulnerable women to fend for themselves. Their communities may also reject and stigmatise them.”
“Trained midwives, doctors and healthcare workers will help identify problems during labour. They will help to deliver the baby safely, and to treat women with fistula. They will also help to inform and educate, to spread awareness of this condition, so women and girls do not need to feel isolated and alone. I’ve seen firsthand the difference your compassionate support has made to maternal healthcare programs for women.”
Your support can help improve access to greater healthcare for expectant mothers and education for women and girls.
Your gift will help:
- Train healthcare workers in the identification, management and referral of women with fistula for surgical treatment
- Provide greater surgical outreach to facilitate access to treatments
- Create advocacy and community awareness on maternal and child health services, including fistula prevention and treatment
- Promote and support emergency obstetric care and fistula treatment
Please help CBM deliver greater healthcare. Click here to donate today.
https://www.cbm.org.au/stories/what-is-a-fistula
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