Freedom from Fistula Information

Freedom from Fistula is a not-for-profit organisation which exists to help the 2 million women suffering from obstetric fistula (childbirth injuries) across the world, through medical interventions, surgery, holistic healing, education, awareness and general healthcare provision for mothers and babies in Africa. The organisation was established in 2008 by Scottish transport tycoon and philanthropist Ann Gloag and it now treats thousands of women every year in its three project sites in Africa; The Aberdeen Women's Centre, Freetown, Sierra Leone - A fistula and maternity hospital which has dedicated fistula theaters and wards, maternity wards, a children/babies health clinic and holistic, education programmes for women recovering from fistula surgery. There are also fistula outreach programmes. The Fistula Care Centre, Lilongwe, Malawi - A dedicated fistula care centre for women from all over Malawi and beyond to receive fistula reparation surgery, healing, education and holistic healing. There is also fistula surgeon training here and an outreach programme; a telephone advice hotline for fistula sufferers and business opportunities for the women post fistula surgery. Freedom from Fistula camps, throughout Kenya - specialist fistula camps which are held in different hospitals throughout the country annually, which over a 2-3 week period, international and local surgeons will operate on as many Kenyan fistula sufferers as possible at each location. The Kenyan programme also operates a 24 hour hotline number for women to call for advice and if they are found to have fistula they can be transferred transport money through their phones to allow them to come to one of our partner hospitals. Freedom from Fistula has its head offices in Perth, UK & New York, USA. It is a registered charity in both countries. For Media enquiries please contact Lois Boyle, Director of Operations and Communications: lois.boyle@gloagfoundation.com