The International Center for Fistula Research (ICFOR)

The fight against fistulas is a very important axis in the IFRU/SF orientations.

Obstetric fistula (O.F.), abnormal communication between the urinary tract and the genital tract on the one hand, the digestive tract and the genital tract on the other, constitutes one of the most serious morbidities that affect women during of obstructed delivery. Women who suffer from it are very often stigmatized, isolated and abandoned by their husbands and/or family. Unfortunately, these OFs still pose a public health problem in developing countries due to the difficult access of populations to basic health care. Also the international community, mainly UNFPA, has been leading a global campaign since 2003 for the eradication of F.O. particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa where we find 80% of F.O. global.

The urology-andrology department of the Grand Yoff General Hospital, under the aegis of the Ministries of Health of the various countries concerned and in partnership with UNFPA and other partners, has been leading campaigns to combat fistulas since 2008. obstetrics in Senegal and in many other countries in West and Central Africa.

Actions made

The objectives of these activities are to improve the quality of management of obstetric fistulas,

treat listed OF cases and train practitioners in the repair of simple and increasingly complex cases;

Ensure care for women with fistulas;

Train specialist doctors in training (DES “Diploma of Special Studies” in gynecology-obstetrics and Urology) in the repair of OF;

Evaluate the skills in the repair of simple OFs of specialist doctors who participated in the various training missions;

Review national technical documents on obstetric fistula (training curriculum in pelvic floor surgery including obstetric fistula repair (university diploma, operating protocols and procedures, technical guide to medical care);

Study the feasibility of setting up a university diploma in pelviperineology.

This involves the operational demonstration of the trainers assisted by the participants, the intervention of the learners supervised by the trainers and the theoretical and practical evaluation of the different learners.

Raising awareness among different actors, particularly social actors and the press, about fistulas and the dangers of stigmatizing patients is more than necessary.

Obstetric fistula repair missions

Campaigns were carried out across Africa (Madagascar, Chad, Niger, Burkina Faso, Benin, DRC, Burundi, Tanzania, Rwanda, Guinea Bissau) and in Senegal (Kolda, Ziguinchor, Matam, Sédhiou, Tamba, Mbour, Thiès , Thiadiaye, Sokone, Tivaoune, Ourossogui, NDioum and Dakar in the HOGGY Urology department as part of routine activities).