In February Silué Korotoum, 34, was the first woman to have obstetric fistulas repaired under a UN Population Fund (UNFPA)-sponsored programme at the regional hospital in Korhogo, northern Côte d’Ivoire. In 2005 she had difficulties in childbirth; the infant was stillborn and Silué was left with an internal tear that let urine flow uncontrollably from her vagina.
“This condition causes enormous shame and embarrassment. People would see my clothes wet from urine and they would mock me.
“Mentally I was deeply affected. Whenever I was around people, I was constantly thinking that they were noticing the bad smell. I was dramatically limited in my activities.
“I used to sell things in the market. One day another vendor told people about my condition. She told people I kept my soiled tissues near my merchandise, but this was not the case at all. I was always meticulous about disposing of them. After that no one would buy from me so I had to abandon that work.
“I was imprisoned by this illness that I was sure could never be cured.
“I have seen a lot of women chased away by their husbands because of fistulas.
“A friend had heard on the radio that the hospital was providing free operations for this condition. At first I did not believe it; I thought perhaps only women who had influential friends or relatives could come and receive such treatment for free. But eventually I came.
“The doctors told me it was a condition called fistulas. All I knew was that I had abnormal holes in me and this made my urine flow constantly.
“Since the operation, it is as if I am just now joining society. My mother says ever since I had the operation, I am never at home. Now I can go out and engage with people and seek a job.
“I visit the women in the hospital who are awaiting operations for fistulas. They are nervous about the operation but they are encouraged when they see me. They hug me.
“I have to thank the doctors and all those who made this operation possible. It is an amazing thing to be delivered from this illness.”
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“This condition causes enormous shame and embarrassment. People would see my clothes wet from urine and they would mock me.
“Mentally I was deeply affected. Whenever I was around people, I was constantly thinking that they were noticing the bad smell. I was dramatically limited in my activities.
“I used to sell things in the market. One day another vendor told people about my condition. She told people I kept my soiled tissues near my merchandise, but this was not the case at all. I was always meticulous about disposing of them. After that no one would buy from me so I had to abandon that work.
“I was imprisoned by this illness that I was sure could never be cured.
“I have seen a lot of women chased away by their husbands because of fistulas.
“A friend had heard on the radio that the hospital was providing free operations for this condition. At first I did not believe it; I thought perhaps only women who had influential friends or relatives could come and receive such treatment for free. But eventually I came.
“The doctors told me it was a condition called fistulas. All I knew was that I had abnormal holes in me and this made my urine flow constantly.
“Since the operation, it is as if I am just now joining society. My mother says ever since I had the operation, I am never at home. Now I can go out and engage with people and seek a job.
“I visit the women in the hospital who are awaiting operations for fistulas. They are nervous about the operation but they are encouraged when they see me. They hug me.
“I have to thank the doctors and all those who made this operation possible. It is an amazing thing to be delivered from this illness.”
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This article was produced by IRIN News while it was part of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Please send queries on copyright or liability to the UN. For more information: https://shop.un.org/rights-permissions
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