Obstetric Fistula Is a “Neglected Tropical Disease”

The term “neglected tropical diseases” (NTDs) is commonly used to refer to a “baker's dozen” of infectious conditions prevalent in resource-poor tropical countries. The 13 core diseases in the NTD group include ascariasis, dracunculiasis, hookworm, lymphatic filariasis, onchocerciasis, schistosomiasis, trichuriasis, Chagas disease, human African trypanosomiasis, Buruli ulcer, leprosy, and trachoma 1. The World Health Organization has expanded the list to 17 conditions (http: //www. who. int/neglecteddiseases/en/), and some authors add another 20 or so fungal, viral, and ectoparasitic infections to the list 1. Here I argue that obstetric fistula should be classified as an NTD because it, like the infectious conditions listed above, is also a preventable, treatable malady responsible for much suffering, stigmatization, and lost productivity among the impoverished “bottom billion” of the world's population.