Why We Work in Chad
Although Chad joined the ranks of Africa’s oil-producing countries in 2013, little of its oil wealth has gone to improve the country’s economic and social outlook—especially for women and girls. Today, only 20% of births are attended by a skilled medical professional. Female literacy rates hover at 14%.
According to UNICEF, 68% of Chadian girls are married before the age of 18. With only 4.8% of women using contraception, many young women soon become pregnant after marriage—when their bodies may not be ready to handle a complicated labor. This—combined with poor access to maternal health care and emergency obstetric services—puts them at huge risk of developing obstetric fistula in childbirth.
An enormous backlog of untreated patients exists that far outpaces the country’s treatment capacity. Many of Chad’s healthcare facilities are underequipped, with poorly trained staff. Undoubtedly, this contributes to the number of women who require a second— and sometimes a third or fourth— attempt at fistula repair surgery.
What You Help Us Do
We are investing in the following areas to build Chad’s in-country medical services and provide life-transforming surgery to as many women as possible:
Meet Our Partners
We identify local surgical teams in Chad already successfully treating women with fistula—and then work to amplify their efforts.
Artemedis
- Location: N’Djamena and Abeche
- Partner Since: 2019
Women and Health Alliance International (WAHA International)
- Location: N’Djamena and Abeche
- Partner In: 2011 – 2018
Below are funding totals since the start of each partnership.
Current Partners
- Artemedis: $191,145
Past Partners
- Women and Health Alliance International (WAHA International): $1,322,600