Prevention & Education at Fistula Hospital

Successful surgery is only the beginning of the continuum of women's health care provided at Fistula Hospital. Shortly after its founding, Fistula Hospital broadened its scope of services to include fistula prevention and education programs for all patients of the hospital.

Today, prior to surgery and during recovery, patients attend literacy and safe motherhood classes taught by a qualified corps of teachers. Every Friday, a member of the Ethiopian Women Lawyers Association visits the hospital to screen an educational film about abduction, rape and domestic violence.

Through education and prevention workshops, cured patients become ambassadors of care to their communities when they return home. The safe motherhood message that cured patients pass on to their family, friends, and neighbors is essential to delivering a vital women's health message to the women of Ethiopia.

Beyond Addis Ababa

Fistula Hospital has initiated an expansion project to build five mini-fistula hospitals throughout Ethiopia. Three of the mini-hospitals are open in Bahir Dar, Mekele and Yirgalem; each is expected to treat approximately 400 patients per year.

From these centers fistula prevention and education programs are being delivered to communities throughout the region using videos, radio broadcasts, and live theatrical performances. In addition, Traditional Birth Attendants and other health professionals are being trained to educate local populations about how to avoid the risks of unattended childbirth.