Program Background

EngenderHealth began its work on fistula in 2001, conducting research in collaboration with the Women’s Dignity Project in Tanzania and Uganda. In 2003, with support from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), we conducted the first-ever international assessments of the availability of, and need for, fistula services in nine countries. EngenderHealth subsequently became the managing partner of a five-year project supported by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to raise awareness of fistula and increase access to services, in collaboration with the Women’s Dignity Project and UNFPA.

In 2004, USAID began to provide support for fistula services through projects managed by EngenderHealth. The initial scope of work was primarily focused on training surgeons in fistula surgery and on strengthening the capacity of sites to provide quality fistula surgery. In September 2007, USAID awarded a five-year Associate Cooperative Agreement to create the Fistula Care project. With this award, the scope of work has been expanded to include a focus on prevention activities. The program has grown from five sites in two countries in 2004 to more than 34 treatment sites in 11 countries in 2010.