International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics

Committee for Fistula
chaired by Lord Naren Patel

The Lord Patel

Approved Terms of Reference

•To co-ordinate effectively FIGO’s activities in the field of fistula treatment and prevention.

•To produce effective proposals for the possible expansion and enhancement of the invaluable work undertaken in the prevention and treatment of fistula.

•To co-ordinate the production of a competency-based training manual aimed at trainers and individual practitioners in low- and middle-income countries.

•To continue liaison with UNFPA and others on the establishment of training centres and dedicated fistula hospitals in Africa and elsewhere.

•To work with allied organisations – including UNFPA – on projects devoted to the prevention and treatment of fistula.

•To monitor and evaluate third-party projects supported currently or in the future by FIGO (such as the AMREF project in Tanzania).

•Unless there is a valid reason for not doing so, to involve FIGO member societies where relevant in the activities proposed for their countries.

•To recommend ways in which FIGO and its constituent societies can collaborate with national governments and other organisations to reduce unacceptably high levels of fistula in their countries. This should include, where appropriate, collaboration with member societies in countries with a high incidence and/or expertise in fistula.

•The Committee should encourage and coordinate South to South collaboration where relevant and appropriate.

Members 2009-2012:

The Lord Patel (Chair)
UK

Dr Mulu Muleta
Ethiopia

Dr Andrew Browning
Ethiopia

Dr Thomas Raassen
Kenya

Professor Charles-Henry Rochat
Switzerland

Dr Suzy Elneil
UK

Dr Kees Waaldijk
Nigeria

Professor Sayeba Akhter
Asia

Professor Hamid Rushwan
UK