New York Times: A Preventable Trauma

The New York Times has published a letter from Karen J. Beattie, director of the Fistula Care Project (managed by EngenderHealth), in response to a recent story about obstetric fistula:

"While increasing access to fistula repair surgery restores hope and improves lives, there is no way to stem the rising backlog of fistula cases unless we prevent the injury from occurring in the first place.

"We know what works: increasing access to quality emergency obstetric services and meaningful prenatal care, ensuring the availability of contraception, delaying early marriage and childbirth, and improving education and nutrition to help girls grow and thrive. These actions, combined with stepped-up political will and community engagement, would improve countless lives."

Karen J. Beattie
New York