Bajura, February 21

Laxmi Pandit, 73, of Badimalika VDC, Bajura has been living with uterine prolapse for the past ten years. She was ashamed to seek medical help. After her health deteriorated, she underwent surgery at the District Health Office in Bajura that offers free health services for uterine prolapse.

Jalu Saud, 35, of Badimalika VDC had her first child at 14, causing uterine prolapse. Shame kept her mum about this, and she gave birth to three more babies despite her health condition. She did not confide to anyone for 21 years, until her condition continued to deteriorate and she finally told her husband Jay Saud and received treatment at the camp.

Chief of District Health Office Bajura Dr Mohan Nath said that a large number of women suffer from uterine prolapse in Bajura and other rural areas of the country. “Rural women are more susceptible to uterine prolapse because many have children at a very young age and lack nutritious diet. What makes their plight worse is they are too ashamed to seek help and choose to live in considerable pain in silence rather than seek treatment,” he said.

Dr Nath said the DHO provides food, accommodation, free surgery, and Rs 1,500 to women seeking treatment for uterine prolapse to encourage them to visit the health facility.  Twenty-seven women underwent surgery at the free health camp.