More News
“I would like to advise mums with fistula not to lose hope even though it is a huge problem. Do not lose hope.” Christina
“I would like to advise mums with fistula not to lose hope even though it is a huge problem. Do not lose hope.”
In Mwanza, Tanzania, Christina knows all too well how women can suffer without adequate health care. After prolonged, obstructed labor, Christina gave birth to a stillborn baby and suffered an injury that caused a fistula, an abnormal opening between a woman’s genital tract and her urinary tract or rectum, causing continuous leakage of urine, stool or both. Christina’s fistula caused ongoing health problems, but she had support – from her family and, in partnership with Bugando Medical Center, Americares.
Americares partnership with BMC ensures Christina and other fistula patients receive repair surgery, counseling, and pre- and post-operative care at no cost. Christina is one of more than 160 women each year who receive life-changing surgery from this partnership. The partners are now working to expand mental health and psychosocial support to fistula clients.
May 23 is the International Day to End Obstetric Fistula, and Americares, in collaboration with BMC and other partners, are in rural communities in Tanzania’s Kigoma region, raising awareness of fistula, providing surgical services and referring women for higher services at BMC if needed. “We’re proud to partner with Bugando Medical Center to provide surgeries at no cost to women in need. This is life-changing.” says Dr. Nguke Mwakatundu, Americares country director in Tanzania. “The progress to end obstetric fistula is not enough. We should increase efforts and act now to end obstetric fistula in Tanzania by 2030.”
According to the United Nations, 2 million women in low-resource settings have an obstetric fistula, 100,000 more develop one every year and only 1 in 50 ever receives treatment. Access to quality reproductive health care and skilled birth attendants can prevent this devastating injury.
Recent News
May 22, 2023
In Mwanza, Tanzania, Christina knows all too well how women can suffer without adequate health care. Bugando Medical Center offers surgical and support services for fistula that give women new life.
May 10, 2023
Stamford, Conn. – May 10, 2023 – Americares, the health-focused relief and development organization, is pleased to announce the promotion of Shripad Desai to deputy senior vice president and country team liaison. In this elevated role, Desai is responsible for working directly with Americares country team leaders in Colombia, El Salvador, India, Liberia, the Philippines, Puerto Rico and Tanzania, to build and sustain the organization’s local/global operating model. Desai supports country teams managing programs at the local level, as well as ensures country directors provide input into decisions made by Americares global leadership team.
May 01, 2023
Stamford, Conn. – May 1, 2023 – Americares, the health-focused relief and development organization, has earned yet another 4-star rating—the highest possible—from Charity Navigator, America’s largest independent charity evaluator. This rating designates Americares as an official “Give with Confidence” charity, indicating that the organization is using its donations effectively based on Charity Navigator’s criteria.
April 20, 2023
Americares President and CEO Christine Squires shares an uplifting story from a recent visit to Americares India’s health programs, including one of its 13 mobile health centers, a story about a life saved by access to health care.