[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 69 (Tuesday, May 15, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E788]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


  INTRODUCTION OF THE UNITED STATES LEADERSHIP TO ERADICATE OBSTETRIC 
                          FISTULA ACT OF 2012

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ROSA L. DeLAURO

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 15, 2012

  Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce the United States 
Leadership to Eradicate Obstetric Fistula Act of 2012, which will help 
to eradicate a consequence of prolonged labor for pregnant women in 
low-resource areas.
  Obstetric fistula is an avoidable and tragic medical condition which 
is a result of insufficient medical interventions that often results in 
the death of the child and devastating physical and social 
ramifications for the mother. An estimated 2 million women are 
currently suffering from an obstetric fistula, and women and girls in 
sub-Saharan Africa are disproportionately affected.
  A simple surgical procedure or extended medical care is often needed 
to treat and cure women suffering from an obstetric fistula. It is 
therefore critical that the infrastructure in sub-Saharan Africa be 
further developed to better care for and treat women who have already 
developed an obstetric fistula and women who may develop a fistula in 
the future. It is also imperative if we are to prevent women and girls 
from developing a fistula. And it is important that obstetric fistula 
care and treatment not be overlooked within the general global health 
and development initiatives already under way.
  This bill would authorize the development of a comprehensive strategy 
to not only prevent fistula, but successfully treat the women that are 
already suffering from this condition. It encourages the expansion of 
private-sector and multi-sector efforts in addition to public-private 
partnerships rather than relying strictly on public-sector efforts. It 
would also establish the International Obstetric Fistula Institute for 
Sub-Saharan Africa to implement parts of the comprehensive strategy.
  This legislation focuses its efforts on sub-Saharan Africa to ensure 
a meaningful and successful strategy to eliminate this condition. Local 
factors that are part of the reason obstetric fistulas may develop vary 
dramatically in regions where women are afflicted. By focusing on a 
single region that is already rich in diversity, we believe that the 
strategy and campaign will be successful and sustainable.
  This legislation has the potential to transform the empowerment of 
women in the region by eradicating fistula and, as a result, improving 
the social, educational, and economic conditions of fistula victims and 
their communities. Accordingly, addressing this issue is not only a 
moral imperative for the United States, but it is also in our best 
strategic interest. I urge my colleagues to support our efforts, and 
this legislation.

                          ____________________