Freedom from Isolation – A Patient’s Story

Women suffering from a fistula are shunned by their families.  The symptoms associated with a fistula, like incontinence, cause those who are suffering to become sad, withdrawn and living a life of isolation.

One such woman is Malika, a 40-year-old happily married mother of nine from the Khost province of Afghanistan.  She began to face health issues and underwent a hysterectomy that resulted in complications not treatable by either her surgical team or other local medical providers. Malika’s husband borrowed money from his relatives and took Malika to Pakistan for treatment.  It was there that she was diagnosed with a fistula.  Unfortunately, they could not afford the surgery and returned to Afghanistan.

Malika felt hopeless and depressed. “I cried a lot because of how the community, even my close relatives, including my in-laws, treated me; they always tried to avoid me.” she said.  Malika and her husband sold their land and farm and returned to Pakistan for the prescribed procedure.  The surgery was not successful in curing Malika’s health issues.  Disappointed, they returned to Afghanistan.

Malika suffered for two and a half years. Thanks to the talented and dedicated doctors at Cure Hospital, Malika has returned to good health. Be Team’s partnership with the Fistula Foundation enables Cure Hospital to restore the lives of women living in isolation from their family and community.