The Problem Obstetric Fistula. Lack of medical assistance during childbirth, particularly in the developing world, frequently results in obstructed labor which lasts for many days. As a result, over a million women worldwide suffer from obstetric fistula, a tear between the birth canal and the rectum or bladder. Fistula can cause ongoing pain, repeated vaginal and urinary tract infections, leaking feces, and reduced ability to bear children. It also leads to severe incontinence, with stark social consequences: women living with fistula are often shunned by their family and community due to the foul smell.
The Solution Cost-effective, restorative surgery. Obstetric fistula do not heal on their own. Fortunately though, reconstructive surgery can reverse the damage and repair the birth canal. However, the limited number of trained fistula surgeons in the world means that fewer than 20,000 procedures take place annually. Even where the procedure is available, combined surgery and rehabilitation costs total an average of $586 per woman--far beyond the financial means of most women who suffer from fistula in developing countries.
How Fistula Foundation is different from other charities Fistula Foundation has funded more than 19,300 surgeries in the last six years--more than any other organization in the world that does not receive government money. They work with award-winning obstetric surgeons, train healthcare personnel, and provide free fistula surgeries to some of the world’s neediest women who would otherwise go untreated. The Foundation is committed to moving donor dollars quickly and cost-effectively to partner organizations in the field, which means that this money goes directly to help women in need. More than 85 percent of the organization’s financial expenditure goes directly to program costs and support. Fistula Foundation also increases access to treatment by funding training for local health workers, nurses and fistula surgeons. It runs surgical training courses in partnership with the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics.
How will my donation be used? The Foundation funds a range of costs associated with treating fistula, including surgeries, training and salaries for local surgeons, equipment and facilities, postoperative care, assistance in reentering society, and outreach to inform women about the availability of free treatment.
Who are Fistula Foundation’s partners? The Foundation works with local hospitals and medical staff, including several award-winning surgeons and leaders in fistula treatment. Potential partners go through a rigorous review process, including external checks of local doctors’ reputations. Grant recipients receive funds in stages and are required to provide regular, detailed reports. Site visits are conducted by Fistula Foundation’s CEO, medical director and program director to build a closer relationship between Foundation staff and partners on the ground, and to also help ensure funds are used appropriately.
Why doesn’t Fistula Foundation use government funds? Fistula usually happen to some of the least empowered people: poor, rural and often illiterate women, in parts of the world with very weak healthcare. Additionally, many of these countries have equally weak central governments that are unable to provide the treatment required. While recent reports show that one million women have fistula, fewer than 20,000 are reportedly treated annually, meaning that for every woman who receives treatment, 50 more still wait. Fistula Foundation also actively seeks to provide surgeries that would not otherwise receive funding.