MONROVIA, Montserrado – The head of the Liberia Fistula Project, Dr. John Mulbah, has disclosed that 105 women underwent fistula surgery in 2016.

A fistula is an abnormal connection between two hollow spaces such as blood vessels, intestines, or other hollow organs. Where it pertains to childbirth, a fistula is a hole between the vagina and the rectum or bladder that may be caused by prolonged obstructed labor. It can leave a woman unable to properly control any passage of urine or feces.

Mulbah noted that the relatively high figure is because the project is dealing with a number of old cases that could not be handled due to the Ebola outbreak. As new cases of fistula emerged following the eradication of the Ebola virus in 2015, the total number of women needing care increased.

Mulbah also suggested that the relatively high number may have happened because many pregnant women did not visit health facilities but were rather cared for by unskilled birth attendants.

With the intervention of the Health Ministry, Mulbah said the number of fistula cases in the country is gradually reducing, pointing out “the project has reopened its facilities at the Phebe and C. B. Dunbar Hospitals in Gbarnga, Bong County for women in northern and southeastern Liberia.”

He further added that two other facilities have also been opened at the St. Joseph Catholic Hospital and Family Medical Center in Monrovia.

He mentioned that their initiative is geared toward three key areas: prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation.

Mulbah said the rehabilitation aspect of the project has targeted about 17 fistula survivors who are now involved in activities such as tailoring, soap making, and agriculture.

He added that there are lots of facilities for fistula survivors, including a post-graduate program where 14 doctors are currently undergoing training to help manage the project.

Marlene K. Tokpa, program officer for the Liberia Fistula Project. Photo: Zeze Ballah

In 2006, a survey conducted on fistula at 48 health institutions noted that “victims of fistula were highly stigmatized and 56.6 percent of them faced rejection by their husbands,” according to Marlene K. Tokpa, program officer of the Liberia Fistula Project.

In response to the findings, Tokpa said the national fistula project was established and launched in 2007. Since then, a total of 1,300 surgeries have been performed, she said.

She added that the victims’ ages ranged “between 16 to 22 years,” with 90 percent of them being related to childbirth.

Featured photo courtesy of United Nations in Liberia