Africa: USAID Announces Award to Prevent, Repair Obstetric Fistula

Friday, January 10, 2014

Washington — More health care workers in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia will be able to prevent, detect and treat the disabling condition obstetric fistula thanks to a new project sponsored by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).

USAID announced on January 6 that it had awarded the Fistula Care Plus Project, a five-year cooperative agreement with a ceiling of $74.49 million, to EngenderHealth and its institutional partner, the Population Council. The Fistula Care Plus Project aims to strengthen health system capacity for fistula prevention, detection and treatment in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia, as well as reintegration of women and girls who have suffered from the condition.

Obstetric fistula, a hole that develops between the birth canal and one or more of a woman’s internal organs, is caused by obstructed labor without access to timely and skilled medical care, such as cesarean section. Delaying the age of first pregnancy and increasing access to contraception are also critical to the prevention of fistula, according to USAID.

Source: All Africa (link opens in a new window)

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Health Care
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healthcare technology, reproductive health