Obstetric fistulas are injuries that most often occur during childbirth, when a baby gets stuck in the birth canal, causing a hole to develop between the mother’s vagina, and her bladder or rectum. Faeces or urine leak from the fistula constantly, meaning many women with these injuries are shunned by their families and communities.

Treatment isn't simply just about the surgery, but is multidisciplinary and aims to treat the whole person, not just the fistula.

The first arm is a Doctors Without Borders partnership with the Nigerian Ministry of Health to run a maternity and neonatal unit. The unit offers hospital-based, free pregnancy care for all women in the area.  If the women come to the hospital to give birth, obstructive labors, alongside all types of pregnancy issues, can be treated. Obstructive labors, where the baby gets stuck in the birth canal, are one of the primary causes of fistula.

The second arm is dealing with the women who already have fistulas. Women can attend the VVF (vesicovaginal fistula) unit without cost and the care is comprehensive.

Read the full article on obstetric fistulas at Doctors Without Borders.