OBSTETRIC FISTULA PROGRAMME

Obstetric Fistula Programme

Millions of girls and young women in resource poor countries are living in shame and isolation, often abandoned by their husbands, and excluded by their families and communities. They usually live in abject poverty, shunned, or blamed by society and, unable to earn money, many fall deeper into poverty and further despair. The reason for this suffering is that these young girls or women are living with an obstetric fistula due to complications which arose during childbirth. Their babies are also probably dead, which adds to their depression, pain, and suffering.

What is Obstetric Fistula?

An obstetric fistula is an abnormal opening between a woman’s vagina and bladder and/or rectum, through which her urine and/or faeces continually leak. Naturally these women are embarrassed by their inability to control their bodily functions, that they are constantly soiled and wet, and that they smell. Their pain and shame may be further complicated by recurring infections, infertility, damage to their vaginal tissue that makes sexual activity impossible and paralysis of the muscles in their lower legs which may require the use of crutches, if any are available.

by delaying the age of first pregnancy
the cessation of harmful traditional practices and
timely access to maternity and obstetric care.

Physicians Across Continents (PAC) has been actively conducting obstetric fistula repair surgeries across multiple countries, including Somalia, Ethiopia, Malawi, Niger, Nigeria, Chad, and Bangladesh, as part of the global campaign to eliminate fistula by 2030. To date, PAC has organized more than 20 specialized surgical camps and established a national fistula center in Somalia.

Through these initiatives, PAC has successfully treated over 3,000 fistula cases worldwide.

PAC’s holistic approach focuses on three core pillars: Prevention, Treatment, and Social Reintegration. In addition to providing free surgical repairs, PAC offers a full range of support services, including free medication, transportation, meals during hospital stays, and skills training to help patients reintegrate into their communities with sustainable income-generating opportunities. Many of these women go on to become ambassadors for PAC’s fistula work, raising awareness and supporting others affected by this condition.

A key component of PAC’s mission is the training of local medical teams—including doctors, nurses, and midwives—ensuring that the knowledge and expertise to address fistula are embedded within the communities PAC serves, contributing to a long-term impact.

Why Do We Focus on Fistula Repair?

At Physicians Across Continents (PAC), we believe that obstetric fistula repair goes beyond simply treating a medical condition or helping a patient. Our work is driven by a deeper purpose:

Restoring dignity to women who have endured immense suffering.
Bringing a smile back to mothers who have lost hope.
Offering them a second chance at life and a renewed future.
Increasing birth rates and expanding family sizes by enabling mothers to heal and have more children.
Reconnecting families after mothers have been isolated due to the condition.
Returning hope to young mothers, allowing them to rebuild their lives.
Contributing to economic growth as healthy mothers can rejoin society and support their families.
Uniting the family, as mother is one of the most important pillars of any community, and this pillar has collapsed due to the mother’s condition.
For Muslim mothers, it also holds special significance as an act of worship, since incontinence caused by fistula can prevent them from performing their prayers properly.

Our mission is not only medical; it’s about transforming lives, rebuilding families, and restoring hope.

Our Impact:

Leading Agency in Somalia: PAC is recognized as the foremost agency addressing obstetric fistula in Somalia.
Over 10 Surgical Camps Only in Somalia: We have successfully organized more than 10 fistula surgical camps across Somalia.
National Fistula Center: PAC has established Somalia's national fistula center, offering comprehensive treatment services.
Strategic Support: PAC has provided both technical and financial backing for the development of Somalia’s national strategy to combat obstetric fistula.
First Fistula Camp in Malawi: We proudly organized the first-ever obstetric fistula camp in Malawi.
Pan-African Treatment: PAC continues to deliver fistula treatment services across multiple countries in Africa, ensuring quality care for women in need.