[afro-nets] U.N. Helps Launch Anti-Fistula Initiative In Uganda

[Dr Rana Jawad Asghar <jawad@alumni.washington.edu>]

U.N. Helps Launch Anti-Fistula Initiative In Uganda
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http://www.unwire.org/UNWire/20040217/449_13153.asp

Tuesday, February 17, 2004


With the support of the U.N. Population Fund, Ugandan first lady
Janet Museveni initiated a campaign on Friday to eliminate fis-
tula, a pregnancy-related disability (U.N. release, Feb. 13).

According to the UNFPA, fistula is caused by obstructed and pro-
longed labor and exacerbated by improper medical care. The prob-
lem is especially acute in Uganda, where only 38 percent of
births occur with the assistance of a capable birth attendant
and about 60 percent of babies are delivered at home, the UNFPA
said.

Usually, mothers that require Caesarean sections but are not
given them tend to develop fistula, the UNFPA said, with pov-
erty, sexism, and a poor maternal health structure all contrib-
uting factors. The illness, which is characterized by chronic
incontinence, is preventable and treatable, the UNFPA said. In
almost all untreated cases, however, the baby dies.

"Fistula is not the type of ailment that attracts headlines be-
cause victims are ashamed and afraid to come out due to stigma,"
said James Kuriah, the UNFPA envoy to Uganda. He said he was
hopeful that with the initiative, Ugandan women's lives could be
greatly improved (UNFPA release, Feb. 13).

The campaign launch in Kampala gathered about 150 people, in-
cluding cultural and religious leaders as well as Ministry of
Health representatives (U.N. release). It will involve the dona-
tion of supplies and equipment to 12 regional hospitals, and the
training of local doctors in post-operative care, as well as
surgery (UNFPA release).


--
Dr Rana Jawad Asghar
Program Manager Child Survival, Mozambique
Provincial Coordinator Sofala Province, Mozambique
Health Alliance International, Seattle, WA, USA
http://depts.washington.edu/haiuw/
Coordinator South Asian Public Health Forum
http://www.saphf.org
mailto:jawad@alumni.washington.edu
http://www.DrJawad.com