Campaign to End Fistula, UNFPA
My blogs
| Introduction | Sarah Omega Kidangasi knows about the pain and stigma of fistula first hand. One of nine children born in Kenya and an orphan since age eleven, she was sexually assaulted at age 19 and, as a result of the rape, became pregnant. When it came time for the delivery, Sarah went to a local health centre and, because her labour was obstructed, was referred to a nearby hospital. But the doctors there lacked supplies to treat the obstruction, so she was referred—after 18 more hours of labour—to yet another hospital. By the time she reached this third facility, the baby had died. She suffered from fistula for twelve years before she was treated surgically. After being hospitalized for depression, she learned about the possibility of fistula repair. In May 2008, she had successful surgery and now wants to ensure that women living with this debilitating injury of childbearing know that treatment is available. |
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