Obstetric fistula care in Liberia

Last month, we returned to Liberia at Phoebe Hospital, where we've been working to offer surgical services to women suffering with obstetric fistula and other types of maternal birth trauma for the last decade. In that time, we have performed several hundred surgeries and cared for many more.

For 2 weeks, we worked on a Ministry of Health sponsored campaign. This effort was championed by Drs. Minnie and Lise, as well as all the hospital staff so instrumental to the success of these efforts. It was wonderful to be with the fistula care team here and reconnect with old friends. Obstetric fistula is a devastating birth injury that is preventable, affecting over 1/2 million women worldwide. 

Many cases of fistula can be cured with specialized surgery. We are thrilled to be able to bring the #bestcareeverywhere to cure those suffering with fistula. #endfistula

Urogynecology Seminar in Montego Bay

By: Ambereen Sleemi, MD, Surgical Director

At the end of October, IMR was invited to be on a panel of physicians who presented “Current Trends in Urogynecology”. This conference we sponsored by the Western Gynecology Association of Jamaica and Medicine in Action. I presented on genitourinary fistulas in developed and under-resourced healthcare systems, expanding on IMR’s work in Malawi, Liberia and Haiti. IMR has projects in these regions focusing in on surgical training in pelvic reconstruction and fistula repairs. Our work over the last few years in Liberia has been to work with the Liberian National Fistula Project, the Ministry of Health and the College of Physicians and Surgeons to train the Ob/Gyn residents in pelvic reconstruction and basic obstetric fistula repairs. I also spoke about urogynecology issues that arise during pregnancy, ranging from the commonly seen complaint of urinary incontinence and the less frequent condition of prolapse in pregnancy.