UN urges efforts to end obstetric fistula within a generation

On the International Day to End Obstetric Fistula, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said Monday that 2 million women and girls in the world continue to live with fistula and urged more efforts to eliminate the condition within a generation.

Obstetric fistula is one of the most serious and tragic injuries that can occur during childbirth. It is a hole between the birth canal and the bladder or rectum caused by prolonged, obstructed labour without treatment.

"It pains me deeply that this preventable and treatable condition still exists in our world, mainly affecting the poorest and most marginalized women and girls, causing them even greater suffering and isolation," said Ban in a message on the international day.

Fistula has virtually been eliminated in most high- and middle- income countries around the world, Ban said, noting that two million women and girls around the world continue to live with fistula, and there are between 50,000 and 100,000 new cases every year.

"The persistence of fistula in some countries and regions is an indicator of very poor access to quality maternal health services," he said.

"To end it, we must strengthen health systems and address broader development and human rights issues affecting women and girls: poverty, gender inequality, early marriage, early childbearing, and lack of education," he said.

He called on the international community to build on the momentum of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals to achieve this goal.

According to the UN, about 800 women die from pregnancy or childbirth-related complications around the world every day.

For every woman who dies of maternal related causes, it is estimated that at least 20 women experience a maternal morbidity, one of the most severe forms of which is obstetric fistula. Endit