Obstetric fistula is a serious problem in the world's poorest countries, where most mothers give birth without any medical help. In these cases, if a woman's labor becomes obstructed, she will endure days of painful, prolonged labor. Her baby is unlikely to survive. If the woman survives, her body is literally broken by childbirth. Uncontrollably leaking bodily wastes, these women are shunned by their families and communities. So many are young girls. And the numbers are staggering. Hundreds of thousands of women are currently living in this way, suffering from this heartbreaking, treatable condition.

One woman at a time. That is how we fight fistula. By restoring health and dignity to one.
One woman with the will to survive. She is still waiting.

Nur Jahan has pledged to share with as many women as possible how fistula surgery can help them overcome their fear and shame.

In many developing countries, one of the most powerful ways of spreading the word to women in remote areas about the availability of fistula treatment is a woman who has actually undergone the surgery and has experienced its life-changing effects. Nur Jahan is one such ambassador from Ramu Upazilla in the district of Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh. Married at 17, her first child was stillborn after protracted, obstructive labor. After suffering from the debilitating effects of fistula for 10 years, Nur Jahan successfully underwent fistula surgery. Her goal now is to educate mothers and potential mothers about receiving proper medical attention during their pregnancy so their babies can be born healthy and the mothers can avoid the postdelivery complication of fistula.

"Cox's Bazar Hospital for Women and Children primarily treats people who are very poor. If a patient cannot pay, they are never turned away. I feel proud to work here, because the poor are always in need of our help. And I would like to thank donors to the Fistula Foundation for extending their hands to help these patients, to restore their dignity and preserve their family integrity.”
— Dr. Nrinmoy Biswas, gynegologist, obstetrician and laparoscopic surgeon