How can fistula be prevented?
Prevention, rather than treatment, is the key to ending fistula. Making family planning available to all who want to use it would reduce maternal disability and death by at least 20 per cent. Complementing that with skilled attendance at all births and emergency obstetric care for those women who develop complications during delivery would make fistula as rare in the South as it is in the North. These interventions are part of UNFPA’s overall strategy to make motherhood safer. Addressing social issues that contribute to the problem – such as early pregnancy, girls’ education, poverty and women’s empowerment – are important areas of intervention as well.
