FISTULA SURGERY SAVE WOMEN'S LIVES IN SIERRA LEONE

Update: Sierra Leone Trip Postponed

WHH, providing assistance to underserved women worldwide, is postponing its planned trip to Sierra Leone. The organization was preparing an autumn excursion to the area, one of the most dangerous places on earth to give birth because infant and maternal deaths are among the highest in the world.

The project must be delayed due to the danger posed by the Ebola outbreak. Dr. Paula Dhanda acknowledges this has been a difficult decision because the need in Sierra Leone is critical. However, she must wait until it is safe to take her staff and volunteers into the area. Once the Ebola crisis is over, even more help will be needed. 

When the project resumes, WHH will partner with West Africa Fistula Foundation, SUNY Upstate Medical University (New York), and University of Sierra Leone, to create a sustainable healthcare program by educating and training local people. WHH and its partners will start a 1-year internship for physicians and midwives in Bo, Sierra Leone, to grow a residency program. The ultimate goal is to reduce maternal and infant mortality in Sierra Leone.

What is the issue, problem, or challenge?

Between 2006 and 2013, Sierra Leone women receiving prenatal care once during pregnancy was 81%; for the recommended minimum four prenatal visits, the number dropped to 56%. A shocking 1 out of 8 women die during childbirth. Survivors suffer unimaginably, with nerve damage preventing walking, kidney disease leading to death if untreated, or obstetric fistulas leaving them incontinent, trickling urine or feces through the vagina – a situation that leaves the women shunned, ostracized, and discarded by community and family. The affected women are left to fend for themselves or die.

How will this project solve this problem?

Improved skilled obstetrical care is the key to reduce maternal mortality; training is vital. WHH, and our partners, will train physicians and midwives using a team approach, focusing on skills needed to decrease maternal mortality and morbid conditions like obstetric fistula.

Summary

WHH, serving under served women worldwide, travels to Sierra Leone this Fall; one of the most dangerous places on earth to give birth - infant and maternal deaths among the highest in the world! We’ll partner with West Africa Fistula Foundation, SUNY Upstate Medical University (New York), and University of Sierra Leone, to start a 1 yr internship for physicians and midwives in Bo, Sierra Leone, and grow a residency program. Ultimate goal - reduce maternal and infant mortality in Sierra Leone.

What is the issue, problem, or challenge?

In Sierra Leone, women receiving prenatal care once during pregnancy was 81% in 2006–13, for the recommended minimum 4 visits it dropped to 56%. A shocking 1 out of 8 die during childbirth. Survivors suffer unimaginably; with nerve damage preventing walking, kidney disease leading to death if untreated; or obstetric fistulas leaving them incontinent, trickling urine, or feces, through the vagina - shunned, ostracized, discarded by community and family- left to fend for themselves, or die.

How will this project solve this problem?

Improved skilled obstetrical care is the key to reduce maternal mortality; training is vital. WHH, and our partners, will train physicians and midwives using a team approach, focusing on skills needed to decrease maternal mortality and morbid conditions like obstetric fistula. WHH just held a Hike 4 Healing locally, raising nearly $7400 in one day for this cause! The hike was challenging, but not near as challenging as this current crisis. ACT NOW - join us -save dying mothers and save their babies!