Partnering for an Enabled Environment

To institutionalize fistula prevention, repair, and reintegration programs, Fistula Care has collaborated with partners at all levels of government and societies, including ministries of health, national institutions, individual facilities, local governments, community-based organizations, individual providers, international partners, and many others.

A range of interlinked sociocultural, economic, and policy factors influence both the functioning and sustainability of health services, as well as social norms and practices related to health. An enabling environment requires equitable policies; adequate resources; good governance and management; accountability; and supportive social norms.

Through these partnerships, Fistula Care has strengthened policies and enabling environments to improve access to fistula services, by partnering with numerous organizations, facilitating and supporting technical working groups, supporting the development of national fistula strategies on fistula prevention and treatment, and coordinating a community of practice for fistula surgeons in the DRC.

This section includes a technical brief describing efforts to enhance the enabling environment, national strategies developed in countries where Fistula Care works, and a list of Fistula Care partners and collaborators.

This resource was made possible by the generous support of the American people through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), under the terms of the cooperative agreement GHS-A-00-07-00021-00. The information provided on this resource is not official U.S. Government information and does not represent the views or positions of the USAID or the U.S. Government.