The Aberdeen Women’s Centre: Providing Care for Girls and Women with Fistula and Other Conditions in Sierra Leone

Abstract

The Aberdeen Women’s Centre (AWC) in Freetown, Sierra Leone, serves the largest unmet needs of women and girls suffering with fistula in Sierra Leone. AWC also provides free maternity and outpatient children’s clinic services to the most marginalized communities in Freetown and the surrounding areas. Since its inception in April 2005, the mission of this centre has been to provide high-quality holistic care to vulnerable women and children free of service. The Freedom from Fistula Foundation took over the management and financial responsibility for the centre from Mercy Ships in 2008. An association agreement between both parties details their continuing collaboration. Mercy Ships continues to be involved in the procurement of surgical supplies and pharmaceuticals, including donated items. What initially began as a fistula care centre has expanded over the years to a maternity unit offering safe deliveries and a children’s clinic for children up to 15 years of age. Our provision of free services ensures we can target the poorest and marginalized communities within Freetown for maternal and child health needs. As the sole fistula care centre in Sierra Leone, AWC caters to women from all over the country, including the very rural districts. Our mission is to alleviate fistula by providing free surgeries to those affected and offering safe deliveries to those who have no access to quality care. It is our hope that these efforts contribute to the elimination of obstetric fistula in Africa.