Milestone for Ann Gloag as her health charity marks 10 years

Perth entrepreneur’s work has paid off for African women

A charity set up by Ann Gloag celebrates a decade of service this month, after helping more than 120,000 women.

The entrepreneur from Perth set up Freedom From Fistula a decade ago, to help people injured in childbirth and give access to maternal healthcare in Africa.

Since the charity’s creation, more than 500 doctors and nurses have been trained in Sierra Leone, Malawi, Kenya and Madagascar to deliver babies and prevent obstetric fistula, an injury that leaves women permanently incontinent after childbirth.

An estimated two million women suffer worldwide due to a long and difficult labour without access to a C-section.

Sufferers are often outcast from families and communities so Freedom from Fistula also provides emotional support.

Ann, 75, who funds all running costs through her charity, the G lo ag Foundation, said: “If this was a man’s problem, it would have been solved by now.

“Women and girls suffering with fistula are the lowest of the low in their societies, often living isolated lives full of shame and despair, through no fault of their own, but the good news is fistula is both preventable and curable.

“It no longer happens in developed countries because women in prolonged, obstructed labour are lucky to have access to C-sections and skilled medical personnel. We need to make that privilege available for all women and girls.”

The charity provides maternity units, fistula surgeries, rehabilitation and education for patients, as well as training facilities for doctors, nurses and midwives.

Margaret Mo yo, Freedom From Fistula Malawi director, said: “We are indebted to Ann Gloag for her compassion and commitment to improving the lives of women and girls suffering from fistula.

“We now treat more than 400 women and girls every year and I know the projects in Sierra Leone, Madagascar and Kenya are equally successful.

“Ann deserves huge credit for improving the lives of thousands of women and girls.”

Anne Gloag with children during a visit to Africa.