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Scoop
24-05-2025
- Health
- Scoop
‘A Silent Crisis': Obstetric Fistula Affects 500,000 Women, Yet It's Fully Treatable
Five days that is how long it took Dah, a 14-year-old prospective mother from Cte dIvoire, to give birth. The child was stillborn and she developed obstetric fistula. 16 years – that is how long Dah had to live with the agonising condition, undergoing eight different surgical procedures before finally getting the fistula repaired. In recognition of the over 500,000 women like Dah who are forced to endure what is a highly treatable condition, the International Day to End Obstetric Fistula is being marked on Friday. Obstetric fistula is a medical condition which refers to the development of a small hole between the birth canal and the bladder or rectum, leading to leaking urine or faeces. This year's theme, 'Her Health, Her Right: Shaping a Future without Fistula' will seek to make progress towards the goal of eliminating fistula by 2030. Women's bodies become battlegrounds — not only through sexual violence but through deliberate denial of reproductive rights and health – Sima Bahous, Executive Director of UN Women 'Women's bodies become battlegrounds — not only through sexual violence but through the deliberate denial of reproductive rights and health services' said Sima Bahous, Executive Director of UN Women. 'A silent crisis' It is often brought on by prolonged or difficult childbirth. Most of the half million women suffering the condition live in the Global South. Many women who have a fistula experience social isolation and exclusion brought on by leaking urine or faeces. This, in turn, can lead to depression and exacerbated poverty. Kambiré, a small business owner who lives in Bouna, lived with obstetric fistula for 23 years. She even had another child before getting medical assistance. 'I preferred to isolate myself because of the fistula,' she said. 'I couldn't sit for long for fear of getting wet.' She only learned that it was treatable when listening to a radio show, inspiring her to go to a UN sexual and reproductive health agency (UNFPA)-supported hospital for treatment. Now, she owns a small pot-making business. Entirely preventable and treatable UNFPA set the goal of elimination by 2030 – which seems doable given that, as a medical condition, it is both completely preventable and fully treatable. Between 2003 and 2024, UNFPA supported nearly 150,000 surgical fistula repairs, 4,400 of which alone happened in Côte d'Ivoire for women like Dah and Kambiré. Catherine, a mother of two in Bouna, also received medical assistance from a UNFPA-supported hospital. 'Now that I'm healthy, I'm happy. I can run my business and spend time with my friends,' she said. Nevertheless, obstetric fistula has remained stubbornly persistent throughout the world due to disparities in global health systems. UNFPA says that midwives are key to preventing fistula, and other childbirth injuries. However, there is a global shortage of over 900,000 midwives, 500,000 of which are in Sub-Saharan Africa. Reproductive health education and empowerment are similarly essential to addressing and preventing obstetric fistula. 'The most effective shield we can offer women and girls is their own power, voice and leadership,' Ms. Bahous said. Networks of solidarity After Dah received successful treatment for her obstetric fistula, she, like Kambiré, began a seasonal food business through which she prepares and sells produce. She has also banded together with other fistula survivors from Bouna to enhance community awareness and reduce stigma. 'When women lead, they protect not only themselves but their families and communities … The impact is transformative,' Ms. Bahous said.
Scoop
24-05-2025
- Health
- Scoop
‘A Silent Crisis': Obstetric Fistula Affects 500,000 Women, Yet It's Fully Treatable
16 years – that is how long Dah had to live with the agonising condition, undergoing eight different surgical procedures before finally getting the fistula repaired. In recognition of the over 500,000 women like Dah who are forced to endure what is a highly treatable condition, the International Day to End Obstetric Fistula is being marked on Friday. Obstetric fistula is a medical condition which refers to the development of a small hole between the birth canal and the bladder or rectum, leading to leaking urine or faeces. This year's theme, 'Her Health, Her Right: Shaping a Future without Fistula' will seek to make progress towards the goal of eliminating fistula by 2030. Women's bodies become battlegrounds — not only through sexual violence but through deliberate denial of reproductive rights and health – Sima Bahous, Executive Director of UN Women 'Women's bodies become battlegrounds — not only through sexual violence but through the deliberate denial of reproductive rights and health services' said Sima Bahous, Executive Director of UN Women. 'A silent crisis' It is often brought on by prolonged or difficult childbirth. Most of the half million women suffering the condition live in the Global South. Many women who have a fistula experience social isolation and exclusion brought on by leaking urine or faeces. This, in turn, can lead to depression and exacerbated poverty. Kambiré, a small business owner who lives in Bouna, lived with obstetric fistula for 23 years. She even had another child before getting medical assistance. 'I preferred to isolate myself because of the fistula,' she said. 'I couldn't sit for long for fear of getting wet.' She only learned that it was treatable when listening to a radio show, inspiring her to go to a UN sexual and reproductive health agency (UNFPA)-supported hospital for treatment. Now, she owns a small pot-making business. Entirely preventable and treatable UNFPA set the goal of elimination by 2030 - which seems doable given that, as a medical condition, it is both completely preventable and fully treatable. Between 2003 and 2024, UNFPA supported nearly 150,000 surgical fistula repairs, 4,400 of which alone happened in Côte d'Ivoire for women like Dah and Kambiré. Catherine, a mother of two in Bouna, also received medical assistance from a UNFPA-supported hospital. 'Now that I'm healthy, I'm happy. I can run my business and spend time with my friends,' she said. Nevertheless, obstetric fistula has remained stubbornly persistent throughout the world due to disparities in global health systems. UNFPA says that midwives are key to preventing fistula, and other childbirth injuries. However, there is a global shortage of over 900,000 midwives, 500,000 of which are in Sub-Saharan Africa. Reproductive health education and empowerment are similarly essential to addressing and preventing obstetric fistula. 'The most effective shield we can offer women and girls is their own power, voice and leadership,' Ms. Bahous said. Networks of solidarity After Dah received successful treatment for her obstetric fistula, she, like Kambiré, began a seasonal food business through which she prepares and sells produce. She has also banded together with other fistula survivors from Bouna to enhance community awareness and reduce stigma. 'When women lead, they protect not only themselves but their families and communities … The impact is transformative,' Ms. Bahous said.
Indian Express
24-05-2025
- Sport
- Indian Express
Lost parents when he was toddler, Gully cricket's best batsman drives auto to support his dreams
Mohammad Shahbaz lost his parents when he was barely two years old. On Friday, after collecting the best batsman's trophy in the boys' category in the third edition of the UTCA Chandigarh Police Gully Cricket Tournament, Shahbaz (18) of Team 187, while celebrating with his teammates, remembered his parents Mohammad Lateef and Zehrunnissa. The trophy was given by Chandigarh Administrator and Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria at Punjab Raj Bhavan on Friday. A student of Government Model Senior Secondary School, Sector 19, and fan of Virat Kohli, Shahbaz, currently drives a rented auto in Bapu Dham apart from managing his studies, to support his dreams. 'I was two years old when I lost both my parents to illness. I was raised by my maternal grandmother Jainab at our native village in Gonda district in Uttar Pradesh and had come to Chandigarh eight years ago to stay with my maternal uncle. Later in 2019, I shifted staying alone and training in cricket under various coaches. Early this year, I started driving an auto to support myself. I dedicate this trophy to my parents,' said Shahbaz while speaking with The Indian Express. The youngster had been training under UT coach Harish Sharma in 2022 at the Government Model Senior Secondary School, Sector 32. He competed in the first edition of the UTCA Chandigarh Police Gully Cricket Tournament in 2023 and was part of the runner-up Team 53 scoring more than 200 runs in the tournament. This year, Shahbaz scored 254 runs and took 11 wickets in the tournament. While he will be trained by UTCA for further training, the youngster will also be returning to drive his auto post his school and training to support himself. 'I have been training under Harish sir and also play local tennis ball matches. Most of my free time is spent driving the auto to support my training and other expenses. To be selected by UTCA for further training will motivate me to improve further,' the 18-year-old said. The cricketer had also saved money to watch his idol Virat Kohli play for Royal Challengers Bengaluru against Punjab Kings in an IPL match at Mullanpur last month. 'I save money to watch Virat play. Hopefully the team will win the play-offs matches here and I will try to get a ticket for the matches at Mullanpur. I hope Virat sir wins the IPL trophy this time in the final at Ahmedabad,' Shahbaz concluded. Nitin Sharma is an Assistant Editor with the sports team of The Indian Express. Based out of Chandigarh, Nitin works with the print sports desk while also breaking news stories for the online sports team. A Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism Award recipient for the year 2017 for his story 'Harmans of Moga', Nitin has also been a two-time recipient of the UNFPA-supported Laadli Media Awards for Gender Sensitivity for the years 2022 and 2023 respectively. Nitin mainly covers Olympics sports disciplines with his main interests in shooting, boxing, wrestling, athletics and much more. The last 17 years with The Indian Express has seen him unearthing stories across India from as far as Andaman and Nicobar to the North East. Nitin also covers cricket apart from women's cricket with a keen interest. Nitin has covered events like the 2010 Commonwealth Games, the 2011 ODI World Cup, 2016 T20 World Cup and the 2017 AIBA World Youth Boxing Championships. An alumnus of School of Communication Studies, Panjab University, from where he completed his Masters in Mass Communications degree, Nitin has been an avid quizzer too. A Guru Nanak Dev University Colour holder, Nitin's interest in quizzing began in the town of Talwara Township, a small town near the Punjab-Himachal Pradesh border. When not reporting, Nitin's interests lie in discovering new treks in the mountains or spending time near the river Beas at his hometown. ... Read More
United News of India
16-05-2025
- Health
- United News of India
500 health centres in Afghanistan face potential closure due to US aid cut, warns UNFPA
Kabul, May 16 (UNI) Andrew Saberton, Executive Director of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), has warned that a recent $102 million reduction in US aid will deprive 6.9 million Afghan women and children of critical healthcare services. This budget cut is set to cause a significant disruption to UNFPA's operations in the country, with 500 out of 900 health centres facing potential closure. Speaking to reporters in New York after visiting several provinces in Afghanistan, Saberton described the consequences as 'devastating". He stressed that, despite often being overlooked in global media, Afghanistan's ongoing humanitarian crisis remains one of the world's largest, reports Khaama News. During his visit, Saberton toured UNFPA-supported health centres in Kabul, Bamiyan, and along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border, where the organisation plays a crucial role in providing healthcare to vulnerable populations. According to Saberton, the US has slashed approximately $330 million from its global UNFPA budget, with $102 million earmarked for Afghanistan. These funds had been directed towards essential family health services and mobile care units, which are vital in a country suffering from one of the highest maternal mortality rates globally. They also supported critical psychological and social assistance programmes, particularly for women and children, who rely on these services for their survival. The aid cut is especially damaging for Afghanistan, as the war-torn country remains in dire straits despite international efforts. The situation is further exacerbated by Washington's freezing of Afghanistan's assets, following Taliban's return to power in 2021. While the US did release over $3.5 million worth funds, and Afghanistan has seen some modest economic growth in recent years, the country still greatly lacks both funds and infrastructure to tackle the multitude of problems it faces. With the international community's attention often diverted elsewhere, including the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war and the broader conflict in the Middle East due to the Israel-Hamas war, the already fragile Afghan healthcare system is facing collapse. Saberton reiterated that UNFPA remains committed to its operations in Afghanistan, though he cautioned that the reduction in resources would make it increasingly difficult to meet the rising needs of the population. The closure of health clinics and the loss of life-saving services will disproportionately affect women and children, worsening an already dire situation. As Afghanistan continues to struggle, it is more crucial than ever for the international community to reinstate funding and support initiatives like UNFPA's. Without adequate resources, the future of Afghanistan's most vulnerable populations remains uncertain, and the global effort to alleviate this crisis could falter. UNI ANV RN
Indian Express
11-05-2025
- Sport
- Indian Express
Parth Salunkhe settled for bronze as pressure of making finals triggers a 7, when needing 10
Nitin Sharma is an Assistant Editor with the sports team of The Indian Express. Based out of Chandigarh, Nitin works with the print sports desk while also breaking news stories for the online sports team. A Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism Award recipient for the year 2017 for his story 'Harmans of Moga', Nitin has also been a two-time recipient of the UNFPA-supported Laadli Media Awards for Gender Sensitivity for the years 2022 and 2023 respectively. Nitin mainly covers Olympics sports disciplines with his main interests in shooting, boxing, wrestling, athletics and much more. The last 17 years with The Indian Express has seen him unearthing stories across India from as far as Andaman and Nicobar to the North East. Nitin also covers cricket apart from women's cricket with a keen interest. Nitin has covered events like the 2010 Commonwealth Games, the 2011 ODI World Cup, 2016 T20 World Cup and the 2017 AIBA World Youth Boxing Championships. An alumnus of School of Communication Studies, Panjab University, from where he completed his Masters in Mass Communications degree, Nitin has been an avid quizzer too. A Guru Nanak Dev University Colour holder, Nitin's interest in quizzing began in the town of Talwara Township, a small town near the Punjab-Himachal Pradesh border. When not reporting, Nitin's interests lie in discovering new treks in the mountains or spending time near the river Beas at his hometown. ... Read More
