Maternal health advocate visits fistula center
Zonta president-elect reaffirms support to end fistula
Dhaka, Bangladesh
Phebe, Liberia
Maternal health advocate and founder of the Every Mother Counts
Ms. Lynn McKenzie, the president-elect of Zonta International—a global
campaign, Christy Turlington Burns recently visited the National Fistula
service organization of executives and professionals working together
Center at the Dhaka Medical College in Bangladesh.
to advance the status of women—visited Liberia to learn more about
There, she met patients waiting for a fistula surgery that can poten-
the efforts to end obstetric fistula and reduce maternal mortality in the
tially transform their lives. She also learned more about obstetric fistula,
country. Zonta has funded and supported the fight against fistula in
a childbirth disability that affects up to 2 million women in the world,
Liberia for three years.
leaving them chronically incontinent, ashamed and isolated. “One of the patients we met in the pre-operative room was
“Fistula is an isolating, depressing condition, which is both preventable and can be treated with significant success,” said Ms. McKenzie,
45-years-old and had been suffering from fistula for 12 years. In the
adding that the Liberian fistula programme will succeed as it draws
next bed was a girl who looked to be no older than 15 or 16-years-old.
together four critical components—awareness to prevent fistula,
Both women had lost their babies during their deliveries. These girls
treatment for those with fistula, rehabilitation including the opportunity
are the key and we were reminded that future mothers count too,”
to learn new economic skills, and finally the support of the people and
Ms. Burns said.
Government of Liberia.
In Bangladesh, an estimated 71,000 women live with the condition
“Through this programme, women are given a ‘help up’ and not a ‘hand
and every year there are another 3,000 to 4,000 new cases according
out.’ I left Liberia, knowing Zonta’s investment is being used to transform
to a needs assessment study carried out in the country in 2003.
women’s lives and giving them back their lives and smiles,” she affirmed.
The center at the Dhaka Medical College provides repair surgeries
As part of her visit, Ms. McKenzie met Health and Social Welfare
free of charge and refers fistula survivors to a rehabilitation center,
authorities to discuss efforts to improve maternal health, and held
where they can learn how to adjust as they go back to
discussions with partners involved in the provision of fistula services in
their communities.
the country.
According to Ms. Burns, like so many development issues, this is one
While in Liberia, she participated in the launch of the 2011 nationwide
that requires a holistic approach. “Prevention is as important as treat-
fistula repair campaign in Kakata, Margibi County, where she had the
ment to prevent fistulas and maternal mortality, but rehabilitation is also
opportunity to hear the stories of women awaiting fistula surgery at the C.
paramount for the full recovery of those who have received treatment
H. Rennie Hospital.
so that they can reenter society,” she explained. Read the blog post.
During her visit, Ms. McKenzie also travelled to Bomi and Bong counties. Accompanied by health officials, she toured major health facilities providing reproductive health services for women and girls and spoke with patients as well as health workers. In Phebe, Bong County, the president-elect visited the Fistula Rehabilitation and Reintegration Center. “Fistula is a condition no woman should have to endure,” she said to the almost 30 fistula survivors who, after receiving treatment, are now being trained in the skills they need to successfully reintegrate into their communities. She urged them to become ambassadors and role models for those who did not have the same opportunity. “You have to encourage other women living with fistula to come out and seek help, so that they can also enjoy the independence and freedom you now have,” Ms. McKenzie said. Sando Moore, one of the fistula survivors benefiting from the rehabilitation programme at the center, told Ms. McKenzie how she had been discriminated against by her family and community. “I am feeling great after the successful operation. I can now sit down for more than one hour without running to the toilet or wetting myself. Before, no one would say hello to me, including even most of my family members. They believed it was a curse that befell me,” said Ms. Moore, thanking Zonta International and UNFPA for helping her regain dignity
Maternal health advocate and founder of the Every Mother Counts campaign, Christy Turlington Burns visits the National Fistula Center at the Dhaka Medical College in Bangladesh. Photo: Josh Estey, Bangladesh, 2011.
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and respect. Calixte Hessou reported from Liberia.