Burkina Faso

WFF is proud of our ongoing,12+ year partnership with Dr. Itengre and his development as a leader. We trained Dr. Itengre as a FIGO Certified Fistula Surgeon from 2012-2013 while he began his service as Chief Medical Officer at Danja Fistula Center in Niger. In 2017, he returned home to Burkina Faso and launched ARENA. He delivered holistic fistula care with multiple local partners until 2022 when he opened ARENA Medical Center, a 25 bed dedicated childbirth injury center providing medical training and with space for 30 survivors to receive education/Reintegration services. With encouragement from WFF, Dr. Itengre has developed new funding partnerships for hospital construction, additional operating funds, medical supplies and equipment, and consulting fees to train fistula surgeons.

Highlight: Dr. Itengre is currently conducting fistula survivor impact research comparing services through multiple local partners vs. under one roof at ARENA, which we expect to showcase superior outcomes for fistula survivors served through ARENA’s dedicated fistula center.

• 532,850 – Community members reached with Prevention & Treatment messaging
• 593 – Doctors, Residents, Nurses, & medical professionals trained
• 484 – Free Surgeries
• 451 – Survivors reintegrated back into their communities
• 265 – Small Businesses run by fistula survivors for economic empowerment

ARENA Medical Center

Construction of Dr. Itengre’s new ARENA clinic completed in 2022 with surgical services launching in June. Like WFF, ARENA implements a holistic model to address fistula and is the first dedicated fistula center in Burkina Faso. Construction of the clinic was funded by SowHope, while WFF continues to provide general operating funds. The center provides surgical treatment, psychological – social reintegration, advocacy training, prevention education and medical professional training all under one roof.