In a rural Kamuli a hospital hosts a camp’s helping women who have experienced childbirth injuries. Nurses & surgeons come together to help women experiencing fistulas they’ve lived with for many years. Fistula is a hole between two adjacent organs leaving women unable to control their bladder, bowel & incapable of having children. Lack of medical access, education and traditional practise related to labour and early marriages are some causes of obstetric fistula. The issues are further empathised by stigmatisation and cultural beliefs towards women affected by a fistula. They become isolated & discriminated against, left unable to have children, husbands leave to find another wife, removing any finical support these women had. Due to the extreme cultural difficulties surrounding fistulas many women feel unable to seek help or even talk about their experiences resulting in them living with this painful condition for many years. During the camp around 30-40 surgeries take place in a week, offering these women a fresh start, one free of being wet & soiled.
Fistulas are a human rights issues that can be avoided. With the right medical access, training & education women can receive surgery & cases prevented. It is fundamental that we bring more awareness, exposure and help towards this issues, women’s health is so often disregarded and un-prioritised. Obstetric Fistula affects a huge number of women, but no one knows what it is. There are surgeons, nurses and charities who dedicate a huge part of their lives to help these incredible resilience women, who have inspired me greatly. This work is about honouring, bring awareness and sharing the strength of women experiencing fistulas and those who set out to help them.
