Liberia

Liberia is a situated on the coast of West Africa between Sierra Leone and Côte d’Ivoire. Liberia was founded as a colony for freed slaves from the United States who settled there amidst the local population. Devastated by two civil wars, Liberia is now rebuilding its economy and infrastructure under the leadership of the first elected female head of state in Africa. Liberia faces an acute shortage of trained health professionals, and motherhood has actually become more dangerous in the years since the end of the last civil war. Much work remains to be done to build Liberia’s health system.

Fistula Care activities in Liberia were implemented by Mercy Ships International, which operates a floating hospital, the Africa Mercy. The ship was moored in Monrovia, Liberia, from February through December 2008 when it moved to Benin.

The Africa Mercy

The Africa Mercy is the world’s largest nongovernment hospital ship. A floating medical facility with 78 beds and six operating theaters, it provides a range of surgical services to the populations near where it moors. The Africa Mercy has provided fistula repair in numerous West African ports since 2001, when Mercy Ships International received a request from the government of Sierra Leone for this service. The Africa Mercy has a volunteer staff of 450 from more than 30 countries. Referrals from partner organizations direct women with fistula to seek repair onboard the ship.

Program Results

From July through September 2008:

• USAID supported 59 fistula repairs while the ship was docked in Monrovia.
• Three surgeons were trained in fistula repair.
• Three nurses were trained in pre- and postoperative nursing care.

Program Activities

Strengthening services

The Africa Mercy provides training for fistula surgeons who wish to build their skills. Priority is given to African doctors, to build capacity across the continent for local facilities to address the fistula burden. The Africa Mercy collaborates with local organizations and institutions to identify fistula cases. In many instances, it provides complex surgical services to patients that have not had successful initial surgeries.

Improving fistula prevention

The Africa Mercy works with local organizations wherever it moors to promote safe motherhood.