May 23rd marks the International Day to End Obstetric Fistula, and with it comes the official launch of The Musa Project, a San Diego-based nonprofit focused on addressing obstetric fistula in Uganda through surgical care, medical training, and health infrastructure development.
The Musa Project is mobilizing global support to end the suffering caused by obstetric fistula in Uganda. Obstetric fistula—a preventable childbirth injury that leaves women incontinent, often shunned, and suffering in silence—is still tragically common in many low-resource settings.
Uganda, like many countries in sub-Saharan Africa, bears a disproportionate burden of this devastating condition due to barriers in accessing timely, quality maternal care. With over 140,000 Ugandan women currently living with this preventable childbirth injury, The Musa Project offers a dual approach: free surgical repair and long-term prevention through medical training.
At the heart of the initiative is Associate Professor Musa Kayondo, Head of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital. Each year, Professor Kayondo and his team perform over 500 fistula surgeries. Moreover, he is leading a movement to expand treatment across three additional hospitals. “Obstetric fistula is a solvable problem,” says Professor Kayondo. “With trained hands, modern tools, and the will to act, we can end this suffering in our generation.”
The organization is actively fundraising to support:
- 2,000 fistula surgeries each year
- New women’s health wards in three underserved regions
- Training programs to reduce new fistula cases caused by improper cesarean sections
- Holistic post-surgical care, including emotional support and patient reintegration
“The launch of The Musa Project on the International Day to End Obstetric Fistula is a statement of solidarity,” said Anastasia Tilbury Marks, Co-Founder and President of The Musa Project, which she started with her father and fellow co-founder, Hal Tilbury. “We are joining a global call to action to ensure that the voices of women and girls in Uganda are heard, their pain is acknowledged, and their healing is prioritized.” By launching on International Day to End Obstetric Fistula, The Musa Project aligns itself with international efforts to raise awareness, drive investment, and advocate for policies that prioritize maternal health, especially in communities that have long been overlooked.
How to Help:
Donations to The Musa Project can be made at www.musa-project.org. Contributions fund surgeries, equipment, training, and ongoing care.
About The Musa Project
The Musa Project is a nonprofit organization based in San Diego, California, dedicated to maternal health justice in Uganda. Its mission is to eradicate the suffering caused by obstetric fistula by supporting women through surgery, recovery, empowerment, and advocacy. The Musa Project is committed to building a world where no woman is left behind because of where or how she gives birth. The organization invites supporters, healthcare advocates, and changemakers to learn more and join the movement at www.musa-project.org.
