Joseph Ruminjo

EngenderHealth

Dr. Joseph K. Ruminjo is the Senior Medical Associate with EngenderHealth's Safe Motherhood program at EngenderHealth, and is responsible for developing and implementing strategies and program activities in essential maternal health, emergency obstetric, and postabortion care in collaboration with national counterparts in Africa and Asia. He is an obstetrician-gynecologist with more than 20 years' experience in the delivery of high-quality reproductive health services in Sub-Saharan Africa. In his current role, Dr. Ruminjo provides technical assistance and training to country and regional program staff and partners in Africa, and works to strengthen the integration of maternal health and postabortion care with other reproductive health services. Dr. Ruminjo studied medicine at the University of Nairobi, and completed a Fellowship in Clinical Trials and Contraceptive Technology with Family Health International.

Addressing Traumatic Fistula: A Tragic Condition for Women and Girls

Joseph Ruminjo

Dr. Joseph K. Ruminjo is the Senior Medical Associate with the Safe Motherhood program at EngenderHealth.

I am writing from the FIGO World Congress of Gynecology and Obstetrics in Kuala Lumpur, where the important issue of traumatic fistula is being addressed on this international stage. In recent years, the international health community has increased its focus on obstetric fistula. This tragic condition, usually the result of complicated childbirth, causes women to leak urine and/or feces, and often makes them social outcasts.

Unfortunately, traumatic fistula - an injury most often caused by sexual violence - has until now received little international attention, perhaps due to its taboo nature or the great shame that women feel as a result. Traumatic fistula appears to be especially common in countries experiencing conflict, although it can occur anywhere.

After undergoing what are often life-threatening attacks, survivors must endure the double stigma of having been raped and then smelling of urine or feces. Sufferers are also more susceptible to HIV and other infections and must wrestle with issues such as unintended pregnancy.