Prolonged, unattended childbirth can result in a serious injury to the mother called obstretic fistulae. A baby, trapped in the birth canal, obstructs blood flow to critical tissues, resulting in tears or holes that create problematic linkages between various organs and tracts. The WHO estimates that there are currently two million women in developing countries living with fistula and that 50,000 to 100,000 new cases occur each year.
The condition usually evokes little sympathy from community members; instead, victims are considered social impurities. The noxious odor that results from their leakage makes victims unwelcomed company, and the belief that the condition is divine punishment for moral indiscretion often leads to complete marginalization.
AMREF is the main organization offering surgical treatment for fistula patients in East Africa. During each month of the year, AMREF conducts fistula camps where patients receive free treatment.
The following photos were taken during the recent national camp at Kenyatta hospital in Nairobi where the 58 patients were treated.
