In Nepal, a world renowned surgeon is on a mission to end obstetric fistula.

Dr Mohan Chandra Regmi is one of the world’s leading obstetric fistula surgeons, operating out of state-run Civil Service Hospital of Nepal in Kathmandu and his own clinic, BPKIHS, located in more rural Dhahran. Obstetric fistula is a serious childbirth injury, caused by prolonged, obstructed labour without access to timely, high-quality medical treatment. It leaves women and girls with a hole between the birth canal and bladder, or rectum, leading them to leak urine, faeces or both, and often leads to chronic medical problems, depression, social isolation and deepening poverty. Forced child marriage and subsequent early pregnancy is a major cause of obstetric fistula in Nepal and around the world; the pelvis of girls and teenagers is often under-developed which is when complications with obstruction can arise. The youngest patient Dr Mohan has operated on was just 8 years old. Some girls also develop fistula due to repeated sexual abuse, while iatrogenic fistula in other women can be caused by doctor malpractice.

Dr Mohan is one of just six specialised surgeons in Nepal with the ability to address serious fistula cases. He has spent the last 15 years dedicated to eradicating fistula in the country by training new surgeons, opening clinics, and advocating for women in poverty to receive state and NGO support towards reparative operations. This photo series follows a day in his life: looking out for patients recovering from cesarean section births, performing a fistula operation, and providing consultations at the outpatient section of the Civil Service Hospital of Nepal. Dr Mohan has two young daughters, Lunasha (aged 6) and Maanasha (aged 13). He says they inspire him to create a future where obstetric fistula no longer exists and young girls are empowered to make their own life choices.