Women's Health Program

IVUmed's Women's Health Program focuses on reconstructive surgery for women. Workshops address corrective surgery for vesicovaginal fistula (VVF), pelvic floor prolapse, and incontinence.

Video from a women's workshop in Nigeria

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Addressing an Enormous Need
We work with our international partners to address the enormous need for urogynecological care among women in the developing world, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. Women in developing countries suffering from pelvic floor injuries and incontinence, often the results of prolonged and obstructed labors, have little or no treatment available to them. In fact, experts estimate that over 2 million women in sub-Saharan Africa, and approximately 800,000 in Nigeria alone, suffer from vesicovaginal fistula (VVF), a condition which a woman leaks urine and/or feces constantly, often as a result of injuries incurred during labor (source: Lengmang, 2007). Meanwhile, on the entire continent of Africa, there are very few urologists currently in practice serving a population of around 770 million. Several countries in Africa have no urologists at all (sources: Pan-African Urological Surgeons Association, Societe Internationale d'Urologie, 2007). This dearth of available care, along with other factors, including cultural and transportation issues, necessitate sustainable local solutions. Throughout the region, urological care is given by general surgeons, general practitioners and others. Training from IVUmed's experts is needed among specialists and non-specialists to help address this enormous need.

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