Fistula program in Liberia continues

In November, we returned from our sixth trip to Liberia where our surgery program is going remarkably well. We continue to work with the Liberian Ministry of Health and Dr. John Mulbah, our partner in Monrovia, to provide equipment, training, and care for women suffering with birth injuries and obstetric fistula (OF). OF is a devastating condition that affects almost 2 million women worldwide and it’s estimated that almost 100,000 new cases develop annually. OF is a condition of poverty and neglect and it affects the most marginalized populations: poor women who are pregnant.

Our work in Liberia started in 2015 after the Ebola outbreak and has been remarkably fruitful with over 150 cases done. We’re committed to training Liberian medical residents and surgeons in pelvic reconstructive surgery and fistula repair as these procedures are highly technical and require skilled surgeons. It’s estimated that each case costs $900 to $1000 per patient. These estimates include the operation, transportation, post operative care, food and all medications and equipment. It is our hope that in 2019, with your generous donations, we will continue our work helping in the recovery of at least another 60 women and continue training new young generation of surgeons who will go on to become vital to the medical care of this country.