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FISTULA CAMPAIGN CONCLUDES AT JUBA HOSPITAL

By Denilson Deneki

Juba, South Sudan: Juba Teaching Hospital has concluded a major obstetric fistula repair campaign, restoring dignity and hope to dozens of women who suffered for years with pain, stigma, and isolation.  

Supported by the Royal Norwegian Embassy through a UNFPA south Sudan country program, the campaign marks a significant step toward South Sudan’s commitment to ending obstetric fistula by 2030. The closing ceremony gathered government leaders, medical professionals, partners, and survivors, including Norwegian Ambassador Roar Haugsdal, Undersecretary in the mini of health Dr. Ganiko Kennedy Baime among others .

Amal Lam a survivor and a registered midwife and community mobilizer, shared her emotional five-year struggle living with a third-degree tear and vesicovaginal fistula. She spoke of the humiliation, constant leaking, and the loneliness that pushed her into isolation.

“The medical team treated me with kindness and dignity, I regained my confidence and my life, Before the treatment, I always felt isolated because of the smell that was coming out of, no one wanted to come close to me but after I got the surgery done I regained my dignity as a woman” Ms Amal Lam said.

Hospital Director Dr. Anthony Lupai highlighted the national impact of fistula, emphasizing that it strips women of dignity and divides families. He thanked Norway and UNFPA for enabling surgeries and training local specialists.

“Fistula strips women of their dignity in the society, it should therefore be our collective responsibility to ensure that we do all we can to eliminate it to zero in South Sudan for our women to regain their dignity. I want to thank the Norway embassy for their support that enabled the hospital carry out surgeries and training local specialists”, Dr. Anthony said.

Ambassador Roar Haugsdal expressed deep emotion as he addressed survivors.

“What you’ve been through is horrific, but you survived with dignity. This suffering is preventable.” He stressed ending early and forced marriage and reaffirmed Norway’s commitment to maternal health.

Undersecretary Dr. Baime urged communities to protect girls, keep them in school, and ensure pregnant women access health facilities. “We must do better for our mothers and daughters,” he said.

The campaign ended with a united call: stop early marriage, strengthen maternal services, and ensure every woman can give birth safely without fear, trauma, or silence.