Sierra Leone

Sierra Leone is among the most dangerous places in the world to bear children, with one of the highest rates of maternal mortality.

The country is still recovering from a long civil war that ended in 2002, and maternal health care—indeed, any form of health care—is scarce. Contributing factors include: the low social status of women in the country and their limited resources and means for transportation to health clinics when emergency care is needed.

EngenderHealth’s work in Sierra Leone focuses on addressing fistula, a vaginal injury usually caused from prolonged labor without timely medical attention. Through the Fistula Care Project, EngenderHealth supports the Aberdeen West African Fistula Centre in the capital city, Freetown, dedicated to providing surgical repair for women suffering from fistula.

EngenderHealth and its partners have repaired hundreds of women and trained numerous surgeons and nurses in the surgery and pre- and post-operative care. Surgical teams from other regions come to the center for expert training, and the Fistula Care Project continues to coach and guide the trained surgeons even after they have left.

The Project also raises awareness of fistula in local communities throughout the country, informing community members on how to prevent the injury and referring women for treatment. Fistula Care also offers women who have received fistula repair other services, including: family planning counseling and information and vouchers for cesarean sections for their next pregnancies. Additionally, the women receive physiotherapy and can participate in basic literacy programs to ease their reintegration back into society and improve their chances for better economic livelihoods.