On 23 May each year, FIGO joins the global community to raise awareness about obstetric fistula and generate much-needed additional support for women affected.Obstetric fistula is a severe childbirth injury affecting two million women in low-resource settings, with 100,000 new cases each year. Despite the need, only 1 in 50 women receive treatment.
Obstetric fistula is a devastating childbirth injury, with over two million women suffering from the condition, predominantly in Asia and Africa. It is estimated that only 1 in 50 women will ever receive treatment.
Since 2012, in order to reduce the global treatment gap, the FIGO Fistula Surgery Training Initiative has been building the capacities of local trainee fistula surgeons – ‘FIGO Fellows’ – and multidisciplinary care teams to provide treatment for women suffering from obstetric fistula in some of the world’s most underserved communities.
Obstetric fistula is a neglected public health and human rights issue. A devastating childbirth injury that leaves women permanently incontinent unless they receive treatment by a trained, competent fistula surgeon.
Obstetric fistula is a neglected public health and human rights issue. A devastating childbirth injury that leaves women permanently incontinent unless they receive treatment by a trained, competent fistula surgeon.