‘I was isolated for having fistula’

For 16-year-old Charlotte Ayiorwoth, living with fistula was a stressful time that turned her into an outcast. The fear and hatred that she had to endure as she suffered with a tear that caused urinary incontinence.

“That was a part of my life that depressed me. I was abandoned and I had to drop out of school because no one wanted anything to do with me. All this was because I smelled urine which used to leak.”

Ayiorwoth from Nyapea, Zombo District could hardly hold back her tears as she relived her experience of living with fistula during activities to mark International Obstetric Fistula Day in Arua. Perhaps she would still be living in isolation had it not been for Africa Medical Research Foundation (Amref), a health development international organisation that held a surgical camp in Nyapea hospital.

She said fistula affected her self-esteem and turned her into a loner. Ayiorwoth is not the only one who has suffered the stigma of living with fistula.

Haggay Anguyo, whose wife suffered from fistula, said: “We went through a very difficult time. I chose to stay by her side as we moved to different health facilities looking for a solution. Many of my peers advised me to remarry but I could not leave her to battle it alone.”

Margaret Mugisa, the project manager Amref Uganda said: “We have been able to repair 320 women in northern Uganda.”
She said they would continue supporting the few surgeons, village health teams who provide information and identify the women with fistula who are then referred for surgery.

On the issue of stigma among sufferers, Mugisa said, “It is true that in-laws, husbands run away from the women suffering from fistula. It is unfortunate that people still associate fistula with witchcraft. This has remained a challenge for us but we will continue with awareness campaigns.”

World Health Organisation says obstetric fistula can largely be avoided by delaying the age of first pregnancy, by the ceasing of harmful traditional practices and by timely access to quality care. It is estimated that more than two million young women live with untreated obstetric fistula in Asia and sub-Saharan Africa.