USAID Program for the Prevention and Treatment of Vaginal Fistula

Citation:

MacDonald, P., and M. E. Stanton. 2007. “USAID Program for the Prevention and Treatment of Vaginal Fistula.” Prevention and Treatment of Obstetric Fistula: Identifying Research Needs and Public Health Priorities 99 (Supplement 1): 112–16.

Authors: P. MacDonald, M. E. Stanton

Abstract:

The cornerstone of the US Agency for International Development (USAID) fistula program is to support and strengthen local capacity for fistula repair. The USAID program includes support to upgrade facilities, enhance local surgical repair capability, allocate equipment and supplies to operating rooms, implement quality improvement systems, and cover the women's transportation costs to and from the treatment facilities. The program also offers training in clinical and counseling skills; transferring skills South-to-South; and monitoring and evaluating the program's effectiveness. As new fistula cases continually increase the backlog of untreated cases, its efforts are also directed toward the prevention of fistula and the reintegration of treated women into their communities. Furthermore, the program challenges the culture of sexual violence against women that leads to traumatic gynecologic fistulas.

Topics: Gender, Women, Gender-Based Violence, Health, Reproductive Health, International Organizations, Sexual Violence, SV against Women

Year: 2007