Congresswoman DeLauro Announces Reintroduction of Physician Education for Fistula Treatment Act

Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-3), Chair of the House Appropriations Committee, today announced the reintroduction of the Physician Education for Fistula Treatment Act. May 23^rd is the International Day to End Obstetric Fistula, a day to raise awareness about obstetric fistula which affects an estimated 500,000 women and girls worldwide each year.

"Millions of women and girls around the world have suffered the pain, shame, and social segregation of an untreated obstetric fistula," said Congresswoman DeLauro. "That's why I've introduced legislation that will combat the shortage of obstetric gynecologists trained to treat fistula at the National Institutes of Health. We can end fistula by investing in quality healthcare and empowering women and communities – this legislation would help us achieve that goal."

"UNFPA, the UN's sexual and reproductive health agency, thanks Chair DeLauro and colleagues for introducing the Physician Education for Fistula Treatment Act," saidSarah Craven, Washington Office Director of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). "Obstetric fistula is a devastating childbirth injury resulting from prolonged childbirth or surgical injury. It is preventable and treatable, but requires funding and training of physicians to do so. This bill is more important than ever, because fistula repairs were widely halted/slowed down due to Covid-19. The UNFPA-led Campaign to End Fistula has supported over 129,000 surgical repairs from 2003 through 2021, but the needs remain great. We welcome this bill and thank the U.S. Congress for introducing this bill, which will improve the lives of fistula survivors for generations to come."

Women who experience untreated obstetric fistula, an abnormal opening between a woman's genital tract and her urinary tract or rectum, suffer constant incontinence, shame, social segregation, painful ulcers, and constant and uncontrollable emission of offensive odors. These symptoms leave a woman perpetually stigmatized by her condition.

The Physician Education for Fistula Treatment Act creates fellowship and residency programs through the National Institutes of Health, institutions of higher education, and existing clinical centers in sub-Saharan Africa that combat the shortage of obstetric gynecologists trained to treat fistula.

The bill creates specialized curriculum for medical students in women's health care, as well as establishes the International OB/GYN and Urogynecology Promotion Program at the National Institutes of health to carry out domestic training programs. Initiatives will be monitored through a ten-year strategic implementation and evaluation plan.

To read the bill text, click here.