Free Fistula Surgery Service starts at Paropakar Hospital
25th February 2026, Kathmandu
The landscape of maternal healthcare in Nepal has reached a transformative milestone with the official launch of the free fistula surgery service at Paropakar Maternity and Women’s Hospital, popularly known as Prasuti Griha. This initiative, specifically targeting Obstetric and Iatrogenic Fistula, represents a critical intervention for women who have long suffered in silence due to the physical and social consequences of this condition.
In collaboration with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Nepal, the hospital has established a dedicated surgical wing and a specialized recovery ward to provide comprehensive care. The program, which performed its first successful surgery in Kartik, is designed to offer a permanent medical solution to a problem that has historically been neglected due to a lack of specialized skills and the high cost of treatment.
By making these life-changing surgeries free of charge, the government of Nepal and its international partners are addressing a fundamental issue of health equity and human dignity in the year 2082.
Free Fistula Surgery Service
To understand the impact of this service, it is essential to define the nature of obstetric and iatrogenic fistulas. Obstetric fistula is a devastating injury that occurs primarily during prolonged or obstructed labor without timely medical intervention.
The pressure of the fetal head against the mother’s pelvic bone cuts off blood flow to the surrounding tissues, eventually creating an abnormal opening between the birth canal and the bladder or the rectum. This results in the constant, uncontrolled leakage of urine or feces.
A iatrogenic fistula, on the other hand, is an accidental injury that occurs during surgical procedures like a hysterectomy or pelvic tumor removal. Both conditions lead to severe physical ailments, including chronic infections and kidney problems, but the social impact is often even more damaging. Many women are marginalized by their families and communities due to the odor and perceived shame associated with the condition.
The success of the free fistula surgery service is rooted in the high level of medical expertise now available at Paropakar Hospital. Under the guidance of Hospital Director Dr. Shree Prasad Adhikari, the medical team has undergone intensive international training at the International Fistula Center, sponsored by UNFPA. This specialized education has equipped Nepali doctors and nurses with the advanced surgical techniques required to repair complex and repeated fistula cases.
The technical support from UNFPA ensures that the hospital follows international protocols for preoperative assessment, surgical safety, and postoperative monitoring. This level of institutional preparation is vital for ensuring high success rates in repairs, as a failed surgery can make subsequent attempts significantly more difficult.
Beyond the surgical theater, the program at Prasuti Griha offers a holistic rehabilitation model that addresses the mental and social well being of the patients. A dedicated fistula surgery ward has been established to provide a dignified environment for recovery.
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Patients receive more than just medical care; they are provided with nutritional support to aid healing, psychosocial counseling to rebuild their self-esteem, and assistance with social reintegration.
This comprehensive approach is necessary because many women who have lived with a fistula for years have lost their social connections and confidence. The ward is staffed by a trained team that ensures respectful care, acknowledging the sensitivity and trauma that many of these women have experienced.
The launch of this service also highlights the structural challenges in Nepal’s maternal health system that lead to fistula in the first place. Factors such as teenage pregnancy, limited access to cesarean section services in remote districts, and the lack of timely referrals all contribute to the prevalence of obstetric fistula.
By establishing a center of excellence in Kathmandu, the government is not only treating the symptoms but is also creating a hub for national awareness and training. Paropakar Hospital uses the International Day to End Obstetric Fistula on May 23 as a platform to conduct nationwide screening and education campaigns.
These efforts aim to encourage women from rural areas to seek treatment and to educate communities that fistula is a preventable and treatable medical condition, not a curse or a source of shame.
From a strategic healthcare perspective, the free fistula surgery service is a significant step toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals related to maternal health in Nepal. By reducing the burden of maternal morbidity, the country is improving the overall productivity and health of its female population.
The collaboration with UNFPA serves as a model for how international partnerships can be leveraged to build local capacity and infrastructure for complex medical challenges. As more women are successfully treated and return to their communities as healthy individuals, the success stories will serve as the most effective form of advocacy for institutional delivery and safe motherhood practices across the country.
In conclusion, the free fistula surgery service at Paropakar Maternity and Women’s Hospital is a landmark achievement for the year 2082. It offers a new beginning for women who have suffered from a condition that is as much a social tragedy as it is a medical one. Through the combination of skilled surgical intervention, dedicated infrastructure, and a compassionate rehabilitation program, Nepal is setting a high standard for specialized maternal care.
The support from UNFPA and the commitment of the medical leadership at Prasuti Griha ensure that no woman in Nepal has to live a life of isolation due to a treatable birth injury. As the program continues to expand, its focus on dignity, safety, and health equity will remain the cornerstone of its success.
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