6 November 2013 - Laws preventing early marriage were vital in the fight to prevent fistula among women across South Sudan, Lakes State Minister of Health Majok Malek said in the state capital Rumbek today.

Mr. Malek was speaking at the launch of a Lakes campaign to treat about 70 women suffering from obstetric fistula as well as raise awareness about the condition’s causes.

According to the UN Population Fund (UNFPA), which is sponsoring the campaign, obstetric fistula is one of the most serious injuries of childbearing. The condition leaves women leaking urine or faeces or both and results in social isolation, depression and poverty.

Social issues such as early pregnancy as well as lack of education and empowerment among women contribute to the preventable problem.

“Fistula, which is caused … by early marriage, breaks up (families),” said Mr. Malek. “Men who married these young girls divorce them due to fistula. We need to prevent fistula in order to avoid these divorces.”

Launching the one-week campaign, Lakes State Governor Maj. Gen. Matur Chut Dhuol urged all those suffering from fistula to turn up for treatment.

“This is an opportunity for all women suffering from fistula. Bring your wives and children,” he said. “Do not shy away. The surgeons are professionals. They will treat you and refer those complicated cases beyond them to Ethiopia.”

Five surgeons from Ethiopia and Uganda have begun repairing and treating 38 patients who were registered and admitted at the state hospital in Rumbek. The World Food Programme is providing food for the patients.

UNFPA Coordinator for the Fistula Campaign, Millicent Obaso outlined the major causes of fistula and urged the government to take action.

“We are here today to treat our sisters, mothers and wives, but the best thing is to prevent fistula,” said Ms. Obaso. “Let us stop early marriage.”