Provide fistula* repair kits for surgeons to offer services to women in need.

Why we care: Fistula is a devastating condition that affects more than 2 million girls and women in the developing world. With proper care, it can be repaired in 90% of cases.

How we’re solving this: Providing fistula repair kits that will allow surgeons in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to perform life-altering procedures.

Since 2008, EngenderHealth has worked to improve the quality of and access to health services in the DRC. Partnering with two facilities in the eastern part of the country, we address obstetric and traumatic gynecologic fistula. The main focus is reducing the number of new fistula cases and providing surgical treatment to those suffering from fistula.

In addition to providing services at these facilities, the trained surgical teams conduct routine outreach services at hospitals in other parts of Eastern DRC.  We have identified an additional 13 sites in Eastern DRC that would benefit from having a fistula repair kit on site. Your support would make it possible to offer services to women in need by supplying equipment necessary to conduct surgical repairs. 

Each kit, with materials sourced in the United States, includes:

• 8 scissors
• 4 needle holders
• 1 Scalpel blade holder
• 5 speculums
• 23 forceps
• 1 needle
• 2 retractors
• 1 catheter
• 1 sound
• 2 probes
• 3 types of basins

*Fistula is a hole that develops between the birth canal and one or more of a woman’s internal organs.