Official launch of “Lilja’s Fistula and One Stop Centre”

This week a new care centre was opened at the Mangochi District Hospital in Malawi. It is named “Lilja’s Fistula and One Stop Centre” in honour of the late Lilja Dóra Kolbeinsdóttir, a former Project Manager at the GEST Programme and a tireless campaigner for gender equality. The Centre will transform the lives of women and girls suffering from obstetric fistula by providing surgeries, psychological support and economic opportunities. Mangochi has one of the highest rates of fistula in Malawi, with about 170 such cases detected every year.

Lilja Dóra Kolbeinsdóttir worked for the GEST Programme from 2011 to 2013 and, subsequently, served as Head of Mission of the Embassy of Iceland in Lilongwe before, tragically, passing away from cervical cancer two years ago. She was guided by a clear vision about development and health care and the establishment of the Fistula and One Stop Center was inspired by her ideas. Lilja Dóra was an expert and mentor in the field of gender and development work and a true friend to everyone who worked with her. Even after her time at the GEST programme, she continued to take a keen interest in the programme, helped select outstanding fellows and raised funds for various projects.