BackgroundThe problem of obstetric, genital tract fistulas is a major one in West Africa. One of the main obstacles to overcome is the limited number of doctors available to repair these devastating childbirth injuries. Training programs were established after holding planning conferences to provide more physicians capable of performing corrective surgery, and to integrate these services with improved perinatal care programs to reduce the incidence of obstetric fistulas. Previous long-term training efforts of several years' duration had been only minimally productive.MethodsTraining sites, where large numbers of patients with obstetric fistulas could be found, were staffed by experienced surgeons and teachers in Nigeria and Ghana. Brief, intensive didactic and surgical programs were conducted for senior level residents in obstetrics and gynecology from the medical schools of these countries, which are usually far away from the sites where the majority of patients with fistulas are found.ResultsEight sessions resulted in the training of over 12 physicians who now specialize in OB/GYN, and who have remained involved in providing care for patients with fistulas. Repair rates for those trained show an 85% successful surgery rate.ConclusionBrief, intensive didacticandsurgical training programs can result in well-trained surgeons who are able to repair the majority of obstetric fistulas and who can take leadership roles in developing obstetric care programs that will lead to fistula prevention in the future.