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
Committee Members
Chair
Dr Peter Majinge – Tanzania
Past Chair
Dr Rachel Pope – United States
Members
Professor Wisdom Azanu – Ghana
Professor Thinagrin Naidoo – South Africa
Dr Almira Ong – Philippines
Dr Javier Ferreiro Ferrando – Uruguay
Dr Emilio Stola – Italy
Professor Sayeba Akhter – Bangladesh
WATOG Representative
Dr Chidinma Peace Ohachenu – Ghana
Associate Members
Dr Salumu Kambobya – DRC
Dr Igor Vaz – Mozambique
Dr Westone Khisa – Kenya
