Prolapse Downunder
What is Prolapse?
Prolapse refers to an organ falling out of place.
In the female pelvis, organs at risk of prolapse include the uterus, bladder, rectum, small bowel, and the vaginal wall itself.
Any or all of these organs can fall down through the vaginal opening and lead to a number of symptoms including pelvic and vaginal pressure and pain; discomfort with sitting, standing or exercising; incontinence of urine or faeces; and pain with intercourse.
In its more severe forms, genital (or pelvic organ) prolapse is a distressing and disfiguring disease. University studies have shown that there are 200,000 women in Nepal who suffer with severe pelvic organ prolapse and are in urgent need of surgery.
Currently there are very few surgeons in Nepal who can provide this surgery. The Prolapse Down Under arm of A4WH is set up to provide surgical camps in Nepal to correct these severe forms of prolapse.
Prolapse Downunder
The Prolapse Down Under arm of A4WH exists to bring relief to the thousands of women in Nepal who suffer humiliation, pain and rejection caused by prolapse and incontinence.
Prolapse Down Under has been operating since 2010 and was the original thrust of the organisation. It was established as a humanitarian initiative designed to bring relief to the large number of underprivileged women who suffer the indignity and social ostracism that comes with pelvic organ prolapse and other genital conditions.
The issue is a serious one. Severe prolapse affects every aspect of the woman’s life, resulting in physical suffering and mental distress. Through Prolapse Down Under, A4WH actively seeks to bring hope and restoration to the lives of thousands of women who would otherwise be abandoned to despair.
Key Projects
Surgical Treatment Camps
A4WH regularly organises teams of volunteer surgeons, anaesthetists and nurses to travel to Nepal to provide treatment for women suffering with prolapse and incontinence. Camps provide surgery and conservative treatments as well as training to local medical and nursing staff. Each camp generally lasts two to three weeks and is based in a local hospital in rural and remote areas of Nepal.
A4WH works in conjunction with the United Nations and the Government of Nepal. The organisation is committed to ongoing research into the area of prolapse and incontinence in developing countries including quality of life studies pre and post treatment.
Dhulikhel Hospital
A4WH has set up a clinical unit for the investigation and treatment of urinary incontinence and prolapse at Dhulikhel Hospital, Nepal.
This hospital now has the first urodynamics unit in the country. Urodynamics units allow accurate assessment of bladder function to determine the ideal management of urinary function disorders including incontinence.
