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Success Story
USAID helps women
with fistula repair their
bodies and their lives
Repairing Obstetric Fistula in Nigeria
Photo: Anthonia Ike-Mbanefo
Joy Emmanuel and her son George
“Before I was embarrassed,
but now I am as free as a
bird in the air. I thank the
USAID fistula care project
for sponsoring the radio
program and for making
my treatment free. May God
continue to bless them. I
have a new life,” said Joy
Emmanuel.
Thirty-two-year-old Joy Emmanuel lived with fistula for half of her life. Long
after giving up hope of a remedy, she heard on the radio that women could
receive fistula surgery at the Faridat Yakubu Fistula Center, in Gusau,
Nigeria.
Obstetric fistula is the result of prolonged labor without prompt medical
intervention, causing a hole in a woman’s birth canal which leaves her with
chronic incontinence and in many cases, the loss of the baby. Emmanuel’s
baby survived, but she was left with the serious medical condition. Women
with Fistula are stigmatized among their peers and by society in general.
The Nigerian National Strategic Framework for fistula prevention and
control estimates that between 400,000 and 800,000 women are affected.
Nearly half of worldwide fistula cases occur in Nigeria, with between
50,000 to 100,000 new cases each year. USAID is working to address the
challenge of obstetric fistula in five states in northwestern Nigeria. During
the project’s first three years 2,822 women received fistula repair surgery.
After her successful operation, Emmanuel was determined to give back
to the program that helped her. She recently told her story on Nigeria’s
USAID-supported “Health Watch” radio show.
Joy Emmanuel’s Story:
“When I was pregnant at age 16, not once did I go to the doctor for
prenatal care. I had my baby at home with the help of two women in my
village that helped me deliver on the floor. I labored for two days. This was
how I got fistula. At first I did not do anything because I did not know what
was wrong. I did not go to the hospital and was afraid of the offensive odor.
My husband left me. My mother was at my side, but I would stay away
from other people. I was unhappy. I thought there was no way out.
“Then one day I was listening to the radio, and there was an ad about
fistula treatment. I left home with only a small bundle of clothes. I was
alone, and I didn’t have food. But the hospital in Zamfara state took care
of me. They had two big wards and the place was filled with women of all
ages and all of us had been rejected by our people.
“At the hospital they put a smile on your face. Since the day I got there,
I had no regrets: they were so caring. After the surgery, they have a
rehabilitation center, where they train you in tailoring and knitting. They
make sure you are happy and can do something in life; you will not be idle
again.
“Before I was embarrassed, but now I am as free as a bird in the air. I
thank the USAID fistula care project for sponsoring the radio program and
for making my treatment free. May God continue to bless them. I have a
new life.”
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