International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics

Ugandan women face a higher risk of fistula due to a lack of skilled birth attendants in the country.

The Commissioner Clinical for Clinical Services Dr Jacinto Amandau told Daily Monitor that 15 per cent of labours in Uganda require the aid of a professional midwife, but most women have to do without such essential medical care.

Fistula is usually caused when a woman is in labour for too long or the delivery is obstructed. The condition can cause an abnormal opening of the birth canal which often leaves the woman with a recurring problem with leaking urine and faecal matter.

Dr Amandau was speaking at the launch of the country's new fistula care programme. 

Authorities in Uganda recognise there is a fistula problem and they want to ascertain the scale of it and develop new ways to address the issue.

The latest official figures are from 2006 and show that 2.64 per cent (200,000) of Ugandan women have suffered from symptoms of fistula.  

Posted by Paul Robertson