Fistula Foundation today launched the Fistula Foundation Treatment Network (FFTN) in Uganda, in partnership with the Ministry of Health and seven implementing partners in Uganda.
SOROTI, Uganda, Sept. 3, 2026 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Fistula Foundation today launched the Fistula Foundation Treatment Network (FFTN) in Uganda, in partnership with the Ministry of Health and seven implementing partners in Uganda. The FFTN signifies a commitment to strengthen access to life-transforming treatment for childbirth injuries that cause incontinence—namely obstetric fistula and severe perineal tears. This is the sixth network of its kind across Africa, built by Fistula Foundation.
The Commissioner of Clinical Services at the Ministry of Health, Dr. Rony Bahatungire, was the guest of honor at the launch held at Terrewode Women's Community Hospital, Uganda's first specialized and dedicated fistula hospital. The launch, organized in collaboration with TERREWODE, marks a major milestone in Uganda's efforts to eliminate women's suffering from the country's most devastating yet treatable childbirth injuries.
An estimated 74,000 Ugandan women are currently living with obstetric fistula, and approximately 1,900 new cases occur each year. Thousands more suffer from severe perineal tears. Women with these conditions often endure years of incontinence, stigma, and social isolation before receiving care. A surgery can cure a woman for life.
"Today is the beginning of a stronger, more coordinated network of care to ensure that no woman in Uganda suffers needlessly from treatable childbirth injuries," said Pam Lowney, CEO of Fistula Foundation. "By bringing together exceptional partners, sharing knowledge and resources, and investing in local experts, we can reach more women faster, improve quality of care, and build a sustainable system that restores health and hope for years to come."
Building on more than 15 years of partnership in Uganda, Fistula Foundation has supported 8,635 life-changing surgeries since 2011 through local hospitals and community organizations. The FFTN in Uganda will coordinate efforts to expand treatment, strengthen surgical capacity, improve referrals, and deepen collaboration with Uganda's Ministry of Health.
"The Ministry of Health welcomes the establishment of the Fistula Foundation Treatment Network in Uganda, contributing to the country's ongoing efforts to eradicate obstetric fistula and enhance maternal healthcare services," said Prof. Charles Olaro, Director General of Health Services at the Ministry of Health. "Integrating and transitioning fistula care from isolated, campaign-based interventions into Uganda's routine health service delivery with the necessary specialists, equipment and post-operative care available is the next critical step."
"The network will increase the visibility of fistula, tell the story more broadly and potentially attract additional support. As we move forward, we should build on the experience and data already generated in Uganda to guide this transition," said Olaro.
The network brings together seven hospital and community outreach partners:
- Terrewode Women's Community Hospital
- CoRSU Hospital
- Kitovu Hospital
- Surgical Centre Mbarara
- Uganda Childbirth Injury Fund
- Uganda Village Project
- Africa Mission Healthcare
Together, these partners aim to increase annual surgeries by 21% from 1,156 in 2025 to nearly 1,400 by 2028, while enhancing the capacity of more than 600 healthcare workers and strengthening patient identification, referrals, and long-term follow-up.
Every successful surgery does more than restore a woman's health—it enables her to return to work, care for her family, participate fully in her community, and rebuild her future with pride and hope.
The FFTN in Uganda builds on the success of similar networks established by Fistula Foundation in Kenya, Zambia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Tanzania, and Nigeria, advancing the Foundation's commitment to ensuring that no woman is left to suffer needlessly from treatable childbirth injuries.
About Fistula Foundation
Fistula Foundation is the global leader in treating obstetric fistula and related childbirth injuries, having supported more than 135,000 surgeries across 35+ countries in Africa and Asia since 2009. Working through a network of 100+ trusted local surgeons and hospitals in areas of high unmet need, the organization delivers more fistula surgeries than any other in the world, and aims to leave no woman behind. Learn more at fistulafoundation.org.
Media Contact
Dr. Esther Njoroge-Muriithi, Chief Program Officer, Fistula Foundation, 254 737 431046, [email protected], https://fistulafoundation.org/
SOURCE Fistula Foundation
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