Committee on Obstetric Fistula
With around 2 million women living with obstetric fistula globally, the Committee on Obstetric Fistula is committed to reducing the suffering caused by this devastating, neglected condition and other childbirth-related injuries.
The committee achieves this through the promotion of preventative methods, training and continued support for service providers to increase the availability and accessibility of high-quality treatment so that more women receive timely and life-changing surgical repairs and holistic care.
The committee supports FIGO’s Fistula Surgery Training Initiative, which focuses on building the capacity of trainee fistula surgeons – ‘FIGO Fellows’ – and multidisciplinary teams in fistula-affected countries.
Committee Objectives
- Providing ad-hoc support to FIGO’s Fistula Surgery Training Initiative
- Technically advising qualified fistula surgeons to maintain and increase their clinical services and run fistula treatment initiatives
- Raising awareness about obstetric fistula and promoting effective prevention methods and holistic obstetric fistula care through advocacy and partnerships
- Promoting evidence-based clinical practice in the treatment of obstetric fistula by initiating and facilitating clinical and social research
- Producing FIGO Fistula Guidelines and educational resources in partnership with the Fistula Surgery Training Initiative’s Expert Advisory Group and Project Team
"The Committee on Obstetric Fistula is committed to working on new solutions and collaborating with others to prevent fistulas and help women who have them access surgical repair and reintegrate into society."
- Dr Rachel Pope, Committee Chair
Committee Members
Chair
Dr Rachel Pope - USA
Vice Chair
Dr Peter Majinge – Tanzania
Members
Dr Shershah Syed - Pakistan
Dr Moses Ayuel - South Sudan
Dr Jorge Andres Rubio Romero - Columbia
Dr Sayeba Akhter - Bangladesh
WATOG Representative
Dr Magnifique Irakoze - Rwanda
Associate Members
Dr Charles Rochat - Switzerland
Dr Itengre Ouedraogo - Burkina Faso
Ms Gillian Slinger - United Kingdom
Dr Weston Khisa - Kenya
Ex-Officio Trustee
Dr Blami Dao - Burkina Faso
