MONROVIA, 15 May 2008 (IRIN) - Angie, 23, has been living with a fistula – a tear in the tissue of her vagina that causes her to lose control of her bladder - for almost one year, after suffering a prolonged labour. She recounted for IRIN how she got the fistula and was left isolated and afraid in a remote town in Bong County, central Liberia.

Fistula is a common problem affecting women in Liberia. It is caused either by rape, underage sex, or obstructed and prolonged labour.

"While I was pregnant, I was always experiencing pain. My pregnancy lasted for 11 months. I suffered internal pain, bled profusely, and urinated uncontrollably.

"After a doctor diagnosed me and informed my husband that I got this condition, he recommended that I get to Monrovia [the capital] for treatment. However, my partner claimed that he could not afford money to transport me to Monrovia.

"My condition became serious about two weeks after my diagnosis. I was just urinating and bleeding and my husband could not stand it. He told me that he was leaving for another town in search of money to transport me. But after a month, he sent a message through one of my neighbours that we could no longer live together, because of my condition.

"I got frustrated and felt that there was no reason for me to live, because of the act of my husband. But thank God, another doctor living in our vicinity knew of my case and personally brought me in his vehicle to Monrovia for treatment at the John F. Kennedy Hospital.

"Since I have been treated here at the hospital, I am feeling much better and living with high hope based on the doctor's advice that I can be cured and live a normal life again."

ak/nr

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