Repairing Young Women's Lives Around the World--Obstetric Fistula

REPAIRING YOUNG WOMEN'S LIVES AROUND THE WORLD--OBSTETRIC FISTULA -- (Extensions of Remarks - June 09, 2005)

SPEECH OF HON. BOBBY L. RUSH OF ILLINOIS
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
THURSDAY, JUNE 9, 2005

* Mr. RUSH. Mr. Speaker, I rise to thank the distinguished Member from New York, CAROLYN MALONEY, with whom I have had the pleasure of working along side ever since we were first elected at the end of the 102nd Congress. She has always been a true champion for women's rights and human rights, and I thank her for bringing this important issue to the awareness of the Congress.

* You may or may not know that the World Health Organization estimates that at least two million women and gir ls around the world currently suffer from obstetric fistula, with an additional 50,000 to 100,000 cases happening each year. Obstetric fistula, a debilitating pregnancy related condition mainly affects girls ages 15-19. The condition occurs during childbirth when the infant's head presses against the woman's vagina and rectum, creating a formidable hole in vital tissue areas around the pelvis, resulting in loss of control of the bladder, bowels and nerve damage to the mother's legs. The prolonged labor al most always results in a high rate of infant mortality.

* Beyond the significant health related risks that I have just outlined concerning this condition, there are also some societal factors that further debilitate these women. Many women with fistula are abandoned by their husbands and families because of the resultant odor and infertility. In effect, they become social outcasts because of the stigma associated with the disease, through no fault of their own.

* As I stated before, approximately, two m illion women suffer from this condition. However, studies conducted by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and EngenderHealth reveal that these figures are grossly underestimated. For example, in Nigeria alone, close to one million women suffer from the disease although these figures are based solely on patients who seek and report treatment in medical facilities only. This statistic clearly disregards the many cases that go unreported and untreated in the region.

* A key factor concerning this iss ue is that fistula is a preventable and curable disease. One form of prevention is a Caesarean section, which costs a mere 60 U.S. dollars. Surgery to repair fistula has an uncharacteristically high success rate of 90 percent even after a woman has had the condition for several years. Most women are either unaware that treatment is available or si mply cannot afford it. Surely this cost is worth the value as success rates have proven to be extremely high.

* Funding to treat this curable condition has been rescinded by the current Administration. The $34 million in funds for the UNFPA that could save the lives of women and children around the world have been withheld causing more women and. children to suffer.

* We are here today to introduce the ``Repairing Young Women's Lives Around the World Act,'' which would provide that the voluntary U.S. co ntribution of $34 million to UNFPA for the fiscal year of 2006 and subsequent years, will be directed to UNFPA to be used only for prevention, treatment and repair of obstetric fistula. The UNFPA serves as a vital institution for providing crucial family planning and health services to women in developing countries.

* In closing, I would like to briefly remind you of some key points that summarize the severity of the issue.

* Treatment to correct the condition has a 90-percent success rate.

* For ever y child who dies from pregnancy complications, 15 to 30 women live and suffer chronic disabilities, the most acute of which is obstetric fistula.

* It is estimated that there are 100,000 new fistula cases each year, but the international capacity to treat fistula remains at only 6,500 per year

* I fully support this issue because it brings attention to one of the failed maternal health systems around the world. Fistula is virtually unknown in places where early pregnancy is discouraged, women are educat ed, family planning is accessible and skilled medical care is available. I feel that eradication of this problem in developing countries is a goal that the U.S. should work to make a reality.

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