Annual Report: Fistula Care Plus, October 2015 – September 2016

The initiative was launched in 2015 with funding from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and was implemented by EngenderHealth, in partnership with several organizations. The initiative's primary objective was to strengthen the enabling environment for fistula prevention, treatment, and reintegration in the public and private sectors. This was achieved through a range of activities, including capacity building for healthcare providers, community engagement, and advocacy for policy changes. One of the key accomplishments of Fistula Care Plus was the strengthening of provider and health facility capacity to provide and sustain quality services for fistula prevention, detection, and treatment. This was achieved through training programs for healthcare providers, the establishment of fistula treatment centers, and the provision of equipment and supplies. The initiative also focused on reducing transportation, communication, and financial barriers to accessing preventive care, detection, treatment, and reintegration support. This was achieved through the establishment of mobile fistula treatment teams, the provision of transportation assistance to patients, and the development of cost-effective treatment protocols. In addition to these accomplishments, Fistula Care Plus also made significant progress in enhancing community understanding and practices to prevent fistula, improve access to fistula treatment, reduce stigma, and support the reintegration of women and girls with fistula. This was achieved through community-based programs, awareness-raising activities, and the development of educational materials. The initiative also made progress in strengthening the evidence base for approaches to improve fistula care and scaling up the application of standard monitoring and evaluation (M&E) indicators for prevention and treatment. This was achieved through research studies, the development of guidelines and protocols, and the establishment of a global fistula registry. Fistula Care Plus was implemented in several countries, including Bangladesh, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Nigeria, Uganda, and West Africa. The initiative worked with local partners to implement programs and activities tailored to the specific needs of each country. The initiative's impact was significant, with a total of 14,111 fistula repair surgeries performed during the reporting period. The initiative also reached over 1 million women and girls with fistula prevention and treatment services, and over 100,000 healthcare providers were trained on fistula care. Overall, Fistula Care Plus made significant progress in addressing obstetric fistula and improving the lives of millions of women and girls worldwide. The initiative's accomplishments demonstrate the importance of a comprehensive approach to addressing fistula, including capacity building, community engagement, and advocacy for policy changes.