Condition of uterine prolapse in Rukum West women grim

By Raju Lamichhane, Rukum West, Dec. 4: Tara (name changed), 55, of Banfikot Rural Municipality-9, in Rukum West, attended the health camp organised in the village. She has been suffering from a prolapsed uterus for over two decades now, but visited the camp for the first time. 

Gynecologist Dr. Srijana Hamal, who was involved in the health camp, became emotional after seeing Tara’s situation which was due to family disrespect, workload, and the perceived shame the health condition brings. “The rural women there have been living a miserable life," said Dr. Hamal. 

The condition of Rama (name changed) of Musikot Municipality-8, which is also the district headquarters, is also pathetic. Married at 16, she had a miscarriage before she had her first child. Even after her uterus fell, she gave birth to four more children. Even the doctors who came to the camp are worried after hearing about her daily life. The wounds in the protruding uterus, the torture of her husband, and the fear of shame have added to mental pain.

Despite being uncomfortable with the uterus hanging outside, she was forced to live a regular daily life and did not even have the environment to go to the basic health centre nearby for check-ups. "Women are burdened by many problems," Dr. Hamal narrated, "I found examples of the disdain and dislike of the family after giving birth to a daughter and those women became physically and mentally unhealthy."

Shanti (name changed) of Banfikot-10, who came to the camp, said, "It's been many years since I started living with a prolapsed uterus.” 

After examining 50 women suffering from the same problem as Tara, Rama and Shanti, Dr. Hamal said, “They had reached a point where they would rather die than live,” referring to the suffering women. 

"Everyone is born after spending 10 months in his/her mother’s womb. So, the importance of a woman womb is beyond words. All must know this and act accordingly,” said Hridayakali Poudel, a senior staffer at the district health office Rukum West, who was involved in the health camp. The issue of reproductive health should feature prominently in every major talk, she added.

Although health is enshrined as a fundamental right in the constitution, it is difficult to get even basic services in remote villages. Poudel said that many women were forced to suppress the pain for a long time because of the imagined shame it is supposed to bring. A woman's health problem is far easier to treat at initial stage, but gets harder with the passage of time. 

The Women's Health Camp, recently organised by the Women's Rehabilitation Center (WOREC) Nepal at three locations in Banfikot Rural Municipality and Musikot Municipality in Rukum West, has shown that the health problems facing women there are serious.

Dipa Dhital, the district coordinator of WOREC Nepal, informed that 550 women were examined and treated during the three-day camp conducted by a 30-member team, including a gynaecologist.

Dr. Hamal said the problems of vaginal discharge and uterine prolapse is very common among women and that they occur because of early marriage, giving birth to many children and carrying heavy loads during childbirth.

According to the WOREC, many of those in attendance at the camp started suffering from the uterus problem long ago, so now many of them have put on rings inside their uterus. 

The problems of a prolapsed uterus, fistula and cervical cancer have been examined and treated in the camp.