Premium
Fistula Fortnight: Innovative partnership brings mass treatment and public awareness towards ending obstetric fistula
Author(s) -
Ramsey K.,
Iliyasu Z.,
Idoko L.
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
international journal of gynecology and obstetrics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.895
H-Index - 97
eISSN - 1879-3479
pISSN - 0020-7292
DOI - 10.1016/j.ijgo.2007.06.034
Subject(s) - medicine , fistula , general partnership , surgery , general surgery , medical emergency , finance , economics
Objective As part of the global Campaign to End Fistula, the Fistula Fortnight, a 2‐week mass obstetric fistula treatment project, was organized in northern Nigeria to contribute to reducing the backlog of untreated fistulas and raise awareness regarding obstetric fistulas and safe motherhood. Methods An array of partners joined forces to provide free surgical treatment, strengthen the capacity of existing facilities to manage obstetric fistulas, and utilize media strategies to raise awareness. Results The Fistula Fortnight took place from February 21 to March 6, 2005, at 4 established fistula repair centers in the northern Nigeria states of Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, and Sokoto. A total of 569 women received treatment, with an 87.8% rate of successful closures. The highly publicized event also raised awareness on the issue of obstetric fistula and helped put a face to maternal deaths. Conclusion The Fortnight, which required extensive and thoughtful planning involving many persons cognizant of health system and quality of care issues, was effective in drawing attention to the vast fistula problem and contributed to reducing the backlog of patients.