EVENT: With in mind, the theme for the International Day to End Obstetric Fistula on May 23rd this year “Her health, her right: Shaping a future without fistula.”, We will find the ways to create effective, rights-based and culturally appropriate solutions, we must build on the voices and experiences of women and girls, especially fistula survivors. By putting women and girls at the heart of stronger health systems and by bridging health and social gaps, we could end fistula by 2030. It would require a comprehensive approach to strengthening sexual, reproductive, maternal and newborn health services – including investing in robust health systems, as well as ensuring access to midwives and timely emergency obstetric care, particularly in hard-to-reach areas. The condition is treatable, with the right resources: A full recovery requires comprehensive rehabilitation and psychosocial and economic support. UNFPA supported nearly 150,000 surgical repairs for fistula between 2003 and 2024 and has helped integrate 15,000 women and girls back into society – but this is just a fraction of those who need it. Register to attend!
WEBINAR: On Thursday 8 May 2025, From: 13:00-14:30 UTC a webinar entitled "Closing the obstetric fistula treatment gap." was held by the FIGO to mark the International Obstetric Fistula Day 2025.
Obstetric fistula is a devastating childbirth injury caused by prolonged, obstructed labour without timely access to high-quality medical care. The resulting hole between the birth canal and bladder and/or rectum leads to serious long-term problems with leaking urine, faeces or both. If not surgically repaired, the injury can leave affected women and girls incontinent for the rest of their lives, resulting in chronic medical problems, depression, social isolation and deepening poverty.
Most obstetric fistulas can be repaired via surgery but unfortunately, there are very few trained fistula surgeons. With the significant human suffering that comes with this condition, it is alarming that approximately only one in 50 affected women have access to treatment. Obstetric fistula is a sign of global inequality - the world's health and social systems are failing the poorest and most disadvantaged women and girls.
Obstetric fistula primarily affects individuals in low-resource countries in Sub-Saharan Africa and certain parts of Asia. FIGO's next regional webinar will bring together leading fistula surgeons and advocates to dive deeper into this issue in the African context. Join us, as speakers discuss epidemiology, clinical aspects and capacity building to address the global shortage of fistula specialists.
Addressing obstetric fistula is an integral part of FIGO's programme work, with the Fistula Surgery Training Initiative. This webinar will spotlight this ambitious multi-year programme, which trains local fistula surgeons and multidisciplinary teams to provide life-transforming care to women affected by this debilitating condition.
This webinar is led by the FIGO Trustee for Africa, Prof Blami Dao, in collaboration with the African Federation of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (AFOG), Société Africaine de Gynécologie Obstétrique (SAGO), FIGO Committee on Obstetric Fistula, Focus Fistula, Fistula Foundation and the FIGO Fistula Surgery Training Initiative.
Language: English with live interpretation in French, Spanish and Portuguese.
Moderator:
Prof Blami Dao, FIGO Trustee for Africa & Eastern Mediterranean, Burkina Faso
Speakers:
Epidemiology of obstetric fistula in Africa
Dr Weston Khisa, African Federation of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (AFOG), Kenya
Incontinence after fistula surgery
Dr Igor Vaz, Focus Fistula, Mozambique
Training OBGYN residents in obstetric fistula care.
Prof Pierre Marie Tebeu, Société Africaine de Gynécologie-Obstétrique (SAGO), Cameroon.
Power of partnership: Building networks to expand fistula care.
Ms Lindsey Pollaczek, Fistula Foundation, United States.
FIGO Fistula Surgery Training Initiative - A trainer perspective.
Dr Peter Majinge, FIGO Committee on Obstetric Fistula, Tanzania.
Register to participate!
WEBINAR: On Thursday 8 May 2025, From: 13:00-14:30 UTC a webinar entitled "Closing the obstetric fistula treatment gap." was held by the FIGO to mark the International Obstetric Fistula Day 2025.
Obstetric fistula is a devastating childbirth injury caused by prolonged, obstructed labour without timely access to high-quality medical care. The resulting hole between the birth canal and bladder and/or rectum leads to serious long-term problems with leaking urine, faeces or both. If not surgically repaired, the injury can leave affected women and girls incontinent for the rest of their lives, resulting in chronic medical problems, depression, social isolation and deepening poverty.
Most obstetric fistulas can be repaired via surgery but unfortunately, there are very few trained fistula surgeons. With the significant human suffering that comes with this condition, it is alarming that approximately only one in 50 affected women have access to treatment. Obstetric fistula is a sign of global inequality - the world's health and social systems are failing the poorest and most disadvantaged women and girls.
Obstetric fistula primarily affects individuals in low-resource countries in Sub-Saharan Africa and certain parts of Asia. FIGO's next regional webinar will bring together leading fistula surgeons and advocates to dive deeper into this issue in the African context. Join us, as speakers discuss epidemiology, clinical aspects and capacity building to address the global shortage of fistula specialists.
Addressing obstetric fistula is an integral part of FIGO's programme work, with the Fistula Surgery Training Initiative. This webinar will spotlight this ambitious multi-year programme, which trains local fistula surgeons and multidisciplinary teams to provide life-transforming care to women affected by this debilitating condition.
This webinar is led by the FIGO Trustee for Africa, Prof Blami Dao, in collaboration with the African Federation of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (AFOG), Société Africaine de Gynécologie Obstétrique (SAGO), FIGO Committee on Obstetric Fistula, Focus Fistula, Fistula Foundation and the FIGO Fistula Surgery Training Initiative.
Language: English with live interpretation in French, Spanish and Portuguese.
Moderator:
Prof Blami Dao, FIGO Trustee for Africa & Eastern Mediterranean, Burkina Faso
Speakers:
Epidemiology of obstetric fistula in Africa
Dr Weston Khisa, African Federation of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (AFOG), Kenya
Incontinence after fistula surgery
Dr Igor Vaz, Focus Fistula, Mozambique
Training OBGYN residents in obstetric fistula care.
Prof Pierre Marie Tebeu, Société Africaine de Gynécologie-Obstétrique (SAGO), Cameroon.
Power of partnership: Building networks to expand fistula care.
Ms Lindsey Pollaczek, Fistula Foundation, United States.
FIGO Fistula Surgery Training Initiative - A trainer perspective.
Dr Peter Majinge, FIGO Committee on Obstetric Fistula, Tanzania.
Register to participate!
STATEMENT: “No woman or girl should have to endure the agony of obstetric fistula,” says UNFPA Executive Director Dr. Natalia Kanem. “We must ensure that every woman and girl – no matter who she is or where she lives – can access the high-quality sexual and reproductive health services that are her right, and scale up proven interventions, including fistula repair surgery, that support survivors. Together we can restore dignity and hope.”
No comments:
Post a Comment