KAMPALA, 17th January 2024 – The Embassy of Iceland in Uganda has today signed off a substantial 3 million US dollars to UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund, to support a groundbreaking program to comprehensively address obstetric fistula and empower survivors in Uganda.
An overlooked crisis
Obstetric Fistula is a severe and debilitating childbirth-related complication, often underestimated as solely a medical issue. Estimates reveal about two million cases in Africa and Asia, with 100,000 new cases annually. Access barriers to quality maternal health care contribute to this crisis, compounded by poverty, gender inequality, sociocultural challenges, and a lack of awareness.
Uganda's urgent state
Every year, Uganda registers about 1,900 new fistula cases, 7% of these occurring among adolescents. Uganda with its youthful population, grapples with a very high teenage pregnancy rate, contributing to heightened maternal health risks. About 189 women die for every 100,000 births. Nearly 17.2% of these deaths occur among adolescents, underscoring the pressing need for interventions.
Joining forces to bring hope.
The three-year programme will be implemented in Namayingo, Iceland’s partner in its district development approach. Namayingo is one of the districts with a very high fertility rate and barriers to access of quality care services including absence of fistula repair services.
The project will focus on three main areas:
Increasing knowledge in communities about the causes and prevention of obstetric fistula and increasing the utilisation of related services.
Strengthening the capacity of healthcare facilities and community structures to provide quality maternal health and Gender-Based Violence (GBV) services, including fistula care; and
Rehabilitating and reintegrating women affected by obstetric fistula into society as productive citizens.
This project marks the beginning of a partnership between the Embassy of Iceland in Uganda and UNFPA, and the commitment of both entities to reaching the most vulnerable population that are often left behind–women and girls. The Embassy of Iceland and UNFPA through varied programmes, continue to support the government of Uganda towards achieving a healthy and productive population.
For more information please contact:
Chan Ju Park (UNFPA) Hildigunnur Engilbertsdóttir (Embassy of Iceland)
cpark@unfpa.org hildigunnur.engilbertsdottir@utn.is
