UNFPA's Thoraya Ahmed announces expanded campaign to end fistula

United Nations, October 14, SPA -- Thoraya Ahmed Obaid, the Executive
Director of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) announced
yesterday that the Fund has expanded its campaign to end obstetric
fistula to 45 countries, a four-fold increase since the campaign was
launched in 2003.

“The consequences of fistula are life shattering. The baby often
dies and the woman is left with chronic incontinence, greatly
diminishing her prospects for work and family life,” said Thoraya
Obaid, a Saudi national.

The announcement was made at the launch of U.N. Secretary General
Ban Ki-moon’s report on “supporting efforts to end obstetric
fistula.”

At least 2 million women in Africa, Asia and the Arab region are
living with obstetric fistula—a hole in the birth canal caused by
prolonged labor without prompt medical intervention—and about 75,000
new cases are diagnosed annually.


Obstetric fistula affects poorer women and girls at disproportionate
rates, especially those living far from home.


The UNFPA campaign to end fistula aims to eliminate fistula by 2015,
in line with the fifth millennium goal to improve maternal health.

--SPA