Photo by babasteve (Creative Commons)

I came across this grim story on TheRoot.com yesterday about fistula – a potentially life-threatening condition associated with prolonged childbirth.

Because of the nature of fistula, its victims are primarily young, poor women (many in sub-Saharan Africa), often without the medical or emotional support needed to cope with the condition, or the funds to pay for a cure.

Funny thing is, though, fistula is completely treatable: surgery and rehab, all in, cost just $300.

As Slate blogger Marjorie Valbrun points out in a follow-up post, that’s less than the amount many Americans will be receiving this summer when their economic stimulus checks land in the mail.

The original story on The Root has links to the relevant NGOs.