Nigeria has the highest burden of VVF cases worldwide
Welcome to Fistula Care Initiative, a non-profit organisation dedicated to raising awareness of vesico-vaginal fistula (VVF), funding repair surgeries, and offering rehabilitation and support to women affected by VVF.
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New VVF cases in Nigeria every year
12,000
Source: Federal Ministry of Health and UNFPA, 2020
Driven by care. Guided by dignity.
- Awareness
- Surgery funding
- Rehabilitation
- Advocacy
Since 2018, we have worked to end vesico-vaginal fistula in Nigeria, and to make sure no woman lives with it alone.
Our mission is to eradicate VVF and empower affected women through comprehensive care and support. We raise awareness about this preventable and treatable condition, fund life-changing surgeries, and offer rehabilitation services so women can recover and rebuild their lives.
What is vesico-vaginal fistula?
VVF is a hole or tear that forms between the bladder and the vagina. It causes constant, uncontrollable leaking of urine.
It can bring severe physical, emotional and social distress, and too often leaves women isolated in their own communities. It is preventable, and it can be repaired.
Prolonged, obstructed labour
Days of labour without skilled help can injure the tissue between the bladder and the vagina.
No skilled care at birth
Many women live far from a midwife, a doctor or a hospital that can perform a caesarean section.
Early marriage and FGM/C
Pregnancy before the body is ready, and female genital mutilation or cutting, raise the risk.
VVF by the numbers
VVF is most common in rural and underserved areas, where quality maternal healthcare is hard to reach.
- 3M+
- Women worldwide living with untreated fistula
- 400k+
- Women in Nigeria living with VVF, by some estimates up to 800,000
- 90%
- Of new cases in Nigeria go untreated
Sources: World Health Organization; Federal Ministry of Health (Nigeria) and UNFPA, 2020. Between 30,000 and 130,000 new fistulas develop in Africa every year.
From awareness to recovery
Every woman deserves to be heard, treated and welcomed home.
Awareness and prevention
Talking with communities about safe childbirth, early care and the signs of fistula.
Funding repair surgery
Paying for the surgery that closes the fistula and ends the leaking.
Rehabilitation and support
Standing with women as they heal, learn new skills and return to their communities.
Fistula is preventable. Treatment changes everything.
Your support funds surgery, recovery care and the journey home. Give, volunteer or partner with us.