STOP
STOP
The Survivors Treatment and Obstetric Fistula Prevention (STOP) Programme addresses obstetric fistula, a preventable yet devastating maternal health condition that continues to affect women and girls in underserved districts of Uganda, particularly Namayingo. Caused mainly by prolonged and obstructed labor without timely access to skilled care, obstetric fistula is closely linked to high teenage pregnancy rates, limited emergency obstetric services, poverty, and harmful socio-cultural practices such as child marriage. Beyond the severe physical consequences, survivors often face stigma, gender-based violence, and social and economic exclusion. Funded by the Embassy of Iceland through UNFPA, the STOP Programme adopts a health system strengthening and multisectoral approach to reduce maternal morbidity while restoring dignity and hope to affected women.
Implemented by Naguru Teenage Centre (NTC) in Namayingo District, the programme focuses on community engagement, capacity building, and strengthened referral systems. Key interventions include community midwife-led dialogues in Buhemba and Buswale sub-counties to promote early antenatal care, safe delivery, family planning, and fistula prevention, while reducing stigma and encouraging male and community involvement. The programme also supports confidential inquiries into maternal near-miss cases and perinatal deaths to improve quality of care, alongside facility-based mentorships for health workers on youth-friendly maternal health services and fistula management. Through these integrated actions, STOP strengthens linkages between communities and health facilities, increases service utilization, and contributes to sustainable improvements in maternal health outcomes and survivor reintegration.
