By QRobinson - May 23, 2025

         Patients show off new dresses and Bibles after fistula surgery at Bere Adventist Hospital in Chad.

March 2025 — Béré Adventist Hospital, Chad 

Andrea Staack, MD, PhD, associate professor for urology, returned from a transformative trip to Béré Adventist Hospital in Chad, an institution that is part of the Loma Linda University Health Global Campus – Chad, where she performed life-changing fistula repairs for women suffering from the devastating effects of obstructed labor. 

For Dr. Staack, this trip was the fulfillment of a long-held calling. “Since medical school, I carried the burden of knowing so many women who suffer preventable childbirth injuries,” she shared. “I waited years until I felt not only professionally ready but personally prepared to serve in such a demanding environment.” 

Chad, the third-largest country in Africa by landmass, faces numerous challenges, including poverty, political instability, limited infrastructure, and an 11% literacy rate. In rural areas like Béré, where most people live as farmers and herders, access to surgical care is nearly nonexistent. Béré Adventist Hospital stands as a beacon of hope, offering essential surgical services without bribes and without turning anyone away. 

One of the most underreported health issues in this region is obstetric fistula—a childbirth injury caused by prolonged, obstructed labor, which often leads to chronic incontinence, social isolation, and emotional trauma. In Chad, early marriage and limited access to skilled birth care contribute significantly to the problem. Over 1 million women in sub-Saharan Africa live with untreated fistulas. 

During her two-week stay, Dr. Staack treated nine women ranging in age from 19 to 70. The resulting procedures were a success with marked improvement on the lives of the women, who gave Dr. Staack permission to share their stories:

  • Emily, underwent a third fistula revision with ureteral reimplantation.

  • Helene, had a large vesico-vaginal fistula.

  • Hashi, suffered a ureteral-vaginal fistula after a C-section.

  • Rizala, had a bladder neck fistula.

  • Clementine and Claudia, both experienced vesico-vaginal fistulas.

  • Bicharo and Kulem, also presented with severe prolapse and fistula cases.

  • Ahamad, faced a urethral diverticulum with pelvic organ prolapse. 

Every procedure began with a prayer. Every patient received compassionate care. Every surgery was a step toward restoring dignity. 

“It was humbling to witness such strength in these women,” Dr. Staack recalled. “Many had been suffering for years, isolated from their communities, and had never received medical help until now.”  

Joining Dr. Staack on the trip was her 15 year old daughter, Anna, who helped document the journey and assisted where possible. At Béré, Dr. Staack was able to collaborate with dedicated hospital staff, and worked alongside Danae Netterburg, MD OB/GYN and former missionary to Chad, Laural Guthrie, MD, general surgeon, and Béré Adventist Hospital’s CEO,Stacy Davenport, MD who is also a family medicine physician. 

In spite of extreme heat, unreliable power, language barriers (Chad has over 120 local languages), and limited medical resources, Dr. Staack was able to bring surgical skill, compassion, and hope to a place where healing is desperately needed.

“I believe we are called to serve where the need is greatest,” she said. “And in Béré, I saw first-hand what resilience, faith, and teamwork can accomplish.” 

         Dr. Andrea Staack and her daughter Anna embark on their journey in Chad.