Women’s Health Nonprofit Headed to DR Congo for Fistula Project

Sept. 19, 2012 - PRLog -- As part of its ongoing fistula awareness and education work in the Democratic Republic of Congo the Women’s ACTION Initiative (WAI), a 501(3)(c) nonprofit, will return to Goma, DRC in February 2013 to develop two educational videos regarding fistula and fistula rehabilitation to be used to educate hospital-based and rural healthcare and social service providers in Africa. WAI needs at least $50,000 in funding and grants to continue on the ground training and mentoring in fistula rehabilitation as part of its existing relationship with HEAL Africa, and for video completion.

In 2010 the World Health Organization estimated more than two million young women in Asia and sub-Saharan Africa were living with un-repaired fistulas. A fistula is an abnormal opening between the vagina and the bladder and/or rectum resulting in constant loss of urine and feces and it most commonly is a result of complications during labor. Surgical repair, while not yet widely available, is considered a relatively reliable and simple intervention. The role of skilled rehabilitation for this population is increasingly recognized, however such care is not yet the norm for women who have had fistula repairs.  

Executive Director of WAI, Jessica McKinney, PT, MS, who has been active with hospitals and organizations including HEAL Africa and WorldWide Fistula fund over the past few years says, “This project holds so much meaning, not just to the women who have suffered life-altering obstetric fistula, but also to their families and communities, helping dispel many of the popular myths about fistula.  It will also be meaningful to the healthcare providers involved directly in fistula care and to the greater global medical community that play a key role in whether or not women receive the rehabilitation often needed to varying degrees after the physical trauma of giving birth.”

The WAI team will be made up of one urogynecology surgeon and three physical therapists specializing in international and women’s pelvic and perinatal health who in addition to collecting footage, conducting interviews and documenting the trip will provide training on site at HEAL Africa and at a medical outreach facility to respectively advance and develop skills in rehabilitation for women with fistula.  Completed videos will also be submitted to relevant US-based and international medical conferences in order to increase medical professionals’ awareness of fistula prevalence and care in the developing world.

To provide a grant, contribute corporate funding or submit an individual tax-deductible donation for WAI’s fistula rehabilitation, care provider training and educational videos project contact Executive Director Jessica McKinney, PT, MS at Jessica@sharemayflowers.org or visit http://www.womensaction.org.