Resolution: Ending Obstetric Fistula by 2030

In a significant step towards addressing the global issue of obstetric fistula, the International Day to End Obstetric Fistula in 2023 marked a renewed commitment to eliminate this devastating condition by 2030. The event garnered attention worldwide, highlighting the urgency to tackle obstetric fistula and the need for collective efforts to achieve this ambitious goal.

Obstetric fistula is a debilitating childbirth injury that occurs due to prolonged and obstructed labour, often without access to timely medical assistance. It leads to an abnormal connection between the birth canal and the urinary or rectal passage, causing chronic incontinence and severe social stigma. The condition predominantly affects women in developing countries with limited access to quality maternal healthcare.

The International Day to End Obstetric Fistula served as a platform to raise awareness, mobilize resources, and galvanize stakeholders to prioritize the eradication of this preventable and treatable condition. The resolution aimed to strengthen healthcare systems, enhance maternal health services, and ensure skilled birth attendance, particularly in underserved regions.

Various organizations, including governments, non-governmental organizations, and international agencies, committed to supporting initiatives that focus on prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation of obstetric fistula survivors. The day also witnessed the launch of campaigns to challenge societal taboos and discrimination surrounding the condition, advocating for the rights and dignity of affected women.

The ultimate goal of ending obstetric fistula by 2030 aligns with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and their commitment to leaving no one behind. It emphasizes the importance of universal access to quality healthcare, gender equality, and the empowerment of women and girls.

As the international community joins hands to combat obstetric fistula, it is crucial to invest in comprehensive reproductive healthcare services, ensure access to skilled birth attendants, and promote education and awareness about the condition. By supporting women, providing timely medical interventions, and creating an enabling environment, we can eradicate obstetric fistula and transform the lives of countless women and their communities.

Re-reported from the story originally published in ETV Bharat English