Since April 2010, IOWD teams have traveled to Rwanda five times. Although many prospective patients live in the capital of Kigali, others have traveled for hours from the rural areas, seeking help...we have examined hundreds of women at Kibagabaga Hospital. Every woman who shows up at Kibagabaga is examined. During our 2-week visits, we have been able to perform 100+ procedures.

Not only do our surgeons repair the fistulas, but more often than not, the doctors need to perform a 2nd operation to repair stress incontinence (leakage through the urethra) in the same patient, once the fistula is closed. Frequently, the damage is so extensive that IOWD surgeons must reconstruct the entire anterior vaginal wall, bladder neck and urethra, and sometimes they must move ureters to a new position.

Since we started our program at Kibagabaga Hospital, approximately 350 women have shown up for help. Each woman or child is examined; some are scheduled for surgery; others, who are too severely damaged internally, cannot be helped, and are sent home. It is clearly a very difficult decision, and a sad one...but we realize that not every person will benefit from surgery.

In King Faisal and the National Hospital (CHUK), our doctors are lecturing, performing surgeries and mentoring young doctors. Because we return to Rwanda three times a year, we are building relationships with the medical staff at all three hospitals, making each trip better than the one before.

The pictures below, and throughout the website, tell the stories of our work in Rwanda.

Click on the pictures below to enlarge.

Barbara donating pediatric drugs to Dr. Christian Umuhoza.	Nurses Njoki, Suzy and Louise with Dr. Jim.	Anesthesia Nurse Erin giving a spinal to patient.
Drs. Kaytan, Ramses and David in surgery.	Anesthesia Nurse, Erin, keeping medical data for her patient as surgery is performed.	Anesthesia Nurse, Janet, and Dr. Aditya preparing anesthesia for patients.
Nurse Anesthetist Erin, Dr. Aditya and Nurse Njoki making sure the patient is comfortable and warm with the addition of a foil blanket.	Dr. Sharon and Dr. Tam performing surgery.	Drs. Sharon, Abner and Tam with patients.
Nurse Anesthetist, Janet, interviewing a patient in preparation for delivery of anesthesia.	Nurse Anesthetists Erin and Anad with patient.	Dr. David discussing patient to Rwandan doctors, while Dr. Kaytan adds notes to the medical record.
Pediatrician, Dr. Michael and an IOWD patient and her son.	Janet with many of our patients.	Nurse Louise, Dr. Tam and Nurse Anesthetist Erin with patient.
Dr. Abner, Erin, Melanie, Anad, Dr. Tam, Dr. Sharon, Dr. Aditya and Barbara receiving a gift from the Rwandan staff.	Nurse Melanie donating supplies to Kibagabaga's Head Labor and Delivery Nurse.	Almog, Dr. Sharon, Dr. Roberta, Nurse Evan and Dr. Cynthia.
Dr. Roberta and Rwandan colleagues at our staff party.	Barbara, Dr. Emile, Dr Karolynn, Dr. Briana and RN, Evan enjoying the staff party.	Almog enjoying the company of some patients.
IOWD Anesthesia Nurses with their Rwandan colleagues.	Dr. Stacey with children of patients.	Dr. Karolynn with a very happy patient.
Rwandan doctors, George, Sadoscar and Victor with IOWD Dr. Cynthia, Almog and Dr. Karolynn...enjoying the moment!	Dr. Stacey and Dr. Parfait delivering a baby.	Laughter and beautiful friendships for the ladies of April.
David Dirito and a patient's baby.	Pediatricians are now able to regulate the amount of oxygen that this baby is receiving through the nasal tubing...donated by IOWD.	IOWD and Kibagabaga team.
Dr. Karolynn Echols filling in medical records as she visits the patients.	Dr. Star, on right, in surgery at Kibagabaga.	In between surgeries. From left- Dr. Mama, Rwandan medical student, Aurea, Dr. McDermott and Dr. Tesfaye.
Dr. Jeffrey Freed with his Rwandan team.	Dr. Saifuddin Mama and a patient. After successful surgery, this lovely child was sent home, to begin school for the first time in her life!	Dr. Jeannie Kim teaching laparoscopy surgery. Dr. Scott Eder is on the right.
Nurse Anesthetists, Sarah and Janet, preparing the anesthesia machines at Kibagabaga Hospital.	Monitors and infusion pump used for the first time at Kibagabaga. Nurse Suzy is on the left.	Professor Janet in the Operating Room at Kibagabaga.
Nurse Clementine and Dr. Christian, Director of Kibagabaga, accepting text books from IOWD Nurse, Kathleen.	Standing- Dr. Pielstick, Dr. Chesson Seated- Dr. Ilupeju, Rwandan Nurse Clementine and Dr. Hall.	Barbara Margolies being presented with a gift of Peace Baskets. Dr. Richard Sezibera, Minister of Health stands at right.
Dr. Karolynn Echols and Rwandan Dr. Emile Rwamasirabo, Urologist.	A happy, dry Rwandan patient and her baby.	Kibagabaga Hospital grounds.
Dr. Blomquist and Dr. Knight at Kibagabaga.	Anesthesiologist, Dr. Dash, supervising as Rwandan Anesthetist prepares to give a patient an injection.	Dr. Korn, sharing a joke with the Rwandan staff.
Dr. Korn, a sleepy baby and a very happy, dry Mom.	Dr. Knight with her dry patient and the patient's beautiful baby.	Anesthesiologist, Dr. Dash, preparing for surgery.
Barbara Margolies with a happy patient and her child. Rwandan medical student, Aicha, stands in background.	A special gift for Dr. Blomquist.	Anesthetist Josie and Dr. Aditya Dash.
Nurse Melanie Haller and Rwandan Nurse Reginald.	Barbara Margolies with a wonderful gift, presented by Nurse Reginald.	Technician Paul Gasana, Director of Kibagabaga Hospital, Dr. Christian Ntzimira, and IOWD Dr. Josh Holden. On behalf of Columbia University Medical Centre Pathologist Dr. Anjali Saqi, and IOWD, Dr. Holden presents a microscope to Kibagabaga Hospital.
Patients Josiane and Olive present Barbara with gifts.	Dr. Tim and medical student, Aicha, tending to a patient	Nurse Anesthetist Rebekah, Dr. Yonas, Dr. Yong, Dr. Anjali, Dr. Dave and Nurse Anesthetist, Kathryn.
Magguy, Dr. Christian, Dr. Daniel, Aurea, Dr. Star, Anon, Dr. Egide and Dr. Josh at the IOWD reception for the Kibagabaga staff.	Dr. Star, Dr. Blair and Dr. Dave in surgery.	Dr. Star recording notes as Dr. Blair and Rwandan medical student, Magguy talk to the patient.
Dr. Greg Owens presenting a case at morning staff meeting.	Medical student, Aurea, Dr. Emmanuel, Dr. Blair, Dr. Saifuddin and medical student, Magguy.	Nurse Anesthetist Rebekah, Nurse Suzy, Nurse Anesthetist Kathryn and Dr. Blair.