Tragic health condition affecting more than 2 million women worldwide “hidden in plain sight” Santa Barbara, Calif. (May, 23, 2013)—Marking the first-ever International Day to End Obstetric Fistula on May 23, Direct Relief is intensifying its decade-long efforts to prevent obstetric fistula and expand life-restoring surgical treatment for the estimated two million women – overwhelmingly in developing countries - who suffer from the
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More Care Reported Worldwide for Women Suffering with “The Backyard Disease,” but Problem Outpaces Efforts to Address Santa Barbara, Calif. (April, 15, 2013)— Global data from 42 countries released this week on the Global Fistula Map reflects a grim future for most of the estimated two million women living with obstetric fistula worldwide and the estimated 50,000 to 100,000 who
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Earlier this month, Direct Relief provided a $50,000 grant to support essential obstetric fistula repair surgeries for women who are living with this devastating and debilitating condition in Somalia’s capital, Mogadishu. Direct Relief again partnered with the Women and Health Alliance International (WAHA), an international nonprofit organization committed to improving maternal and neonatal health in disadvantaged communities throughout Africa, to
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In the midst of Hurricane Sandy activity last week, it was nice to see the Global Fistula Map—published by Direct Relief, the Fistula Foundation, and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)—cited in the U.N. Secretary-General Report, “Supporting Efforts to End Obstetric Fistula,” presented by UNFPA Deputy Executive Director, Anne-Birgitte Albrectsen, at the United Nations. As the report notes, obstetric fistula
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