March 5, 2004

Life-saving support in Niger

MGH Vincent obstetrical generalist Lori Berkowitz, MD, recently spent two weeks performing pelvic reconstructive surgery in a village in the western African country of Niger, under the auspices of the International Organization for Women and Development. For many young women in the village, prolonged labor without medical supervision has resulted in the death of their babies as well as extensive damage to the bladder and rectum. Berkowitz worked with an experienced local surgeon to repair and reconstruct the pelvic tissues to restore the proper functions of the bladder and rectum.

Above, Berkowitz, center, with women from the Niger village.