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Nepal

Obstetric fistula remains common in Nepal—particularly in rural areas where poor nutrition and high rates of child marriage increase a woman’s risk for obstructed labor.

Why We Work in Nepal

Nepal is a mountainous, landlocked country situated in the Himalayan Mountains between China and India. Acute poverty is widespread, and maternal healthcare and emergency obstetric services remain in short supply. Only 58% of births are attended by a skilled provider. 

Not surprisingly, obstetric fistula persists in the country—particularly in rural areas of Nepal where poor nutrition, child marriage and early childbearing all increase a woman’s risk for obstructed labor and injury. A 2011 UNFPA study estimates there are 4,000–5,000 women living with fistula, and 200–400 new cases each year. 

Many victims, and even health workers, are not aware that fistula is a medical condition that can be treated. Nepal’s harsh geography and travel conditions further compound the challenge of accessing treatment. Those who do travel to Kathmandu or India often find their funds are insufficient to pay for surgery.

What You Help Us Do

We are investing in the following areas to build Nepal’s in-country medical services and provide life-transforming surgery to as many women as possible:

Cost of Fistula Surgeries
Surgeon Training
Community Outreach
Reintegration Support

Meet Our Partners

We identify local surgical teams in Nepal already successfully treating women with fistula—and then work to amplify their efforts. 

Who are our current partners?

Fistula Free Nepal

  • Location: Dharan
  • Partner Since: 2013

International Nepal Fellowship

  • Location: Surkhet
  • Partner Since: 2012

Public Health Concern Trust/CBRHCC

  • Location: Kathmandu
  • Partner Since: 2015

Public Health Concern Trust-Nepal/ Kathmandu Model Hospital

  • Location: Kathmandu
  • Partner Since: 2014
How much funding have we granted?

Below are funding totals since the start of each partnership.

Current Partners

  • Fistula Free Nepal: $370,238
  • International Nepal Fellowship: $983,498
  • Public Health Concern Trust/CBRHCC: $211,117
  • Public Health Concern Trust-Nepal/ Kathmandu Model Hospital: $1,162,800

News from the Field

Meet Harka Maya from Nepal  •  August 18, 2016
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A mother of two, Harka Maya lives in Sindhuli, Nepal, roughly 80 miles (129 km) from Kathmandu. She developed a fistula in the summer of 2015, while in labor with...
A mother of two, Harka Maya lives in Sindhuli, Nepal, roughly 80 miles (129 km) from Kathmandu. She developed a fistula in the summer of 2015, while in labor with her third child. Being from a poor farming family, it was customary for her to deliver at home. But after seven excruciating days in labor, she was finally taken to a local hospital, where doctors delivered her stillborn baby via emergency C-section.
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Kathmandu Model Hospital Reconstruction a Success!  •  November 04, 2015
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In the days following the devastating April earthquake in Nepal, you helped us raise an incredible $150,000 in 24 hours to repair extensive damage to an operating room at our...
In the days following the devastating April earthquake in Nepal, you helped us raise an incredible $150,000 in 24 hours to repair extensive damage to an operating room at our partner site, Kathmandu Model Hospital. We are happy to report that thanks to so many of you, and to the support of Frank Richardson – who provided a generous 2:1 matching gift for this effort, reconstruction is nearly complete and the hospital is now fully functional!
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Meet Kamala from Nepal  •  September 25, 2015
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Kamala and her husband are both illiterate farmers, and very poor. During Kamala’s last pregnancy, she labored at home for two days until her husband managed to take her to...
Kamala and her husband are both illiterate farmers, and very poor. During Kamala’s last pregnancy, she labored at home for two days until her husband managed to take her to a local hospital. An emergency C-section was performed, but sadly the baby had died in utero. Not only that, but Kamala began leaking urine from that day on.
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