In an attempt to restore dignity to women living with obstetric fistula, health authorities in the country have put in place an initiative offering free surgeries in five major hospitals.
The initiative, led by the Partnership to End Fistula in Ghana (PEFIC), aims to eliminate one of the most debilitating childbirth-related conditions by providing comprehensive care and reintegration support to survivors.
The designated hospitals now offering free fistula repairs include Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (Kumasi), Ho Teaching Hospital (Volta Region), Tamale West Hospital (Northern Region), Mercy Women Catholic Hospital (Central Region), and Upper West Regional Hospital.
The announcement was made by Dela Bright Gle, Programme Specialist, Reproductive Health, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), during a commemorative event on May 23 at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital in Kumasi on the International Day to End Obstetric Fistula.
“This year, we decided to take the conversation out of the conference rooms and into clinics and communities,” Gle stressed, underscoring the need to confront the stigma and isolation that fistula survivors endure.
Obstetric fistula, caused primarily by prolonged or obstructed labour, results in a hole between the birth canal and the bladder or rectum, leading to uncontrollable leakage of urine or faeces.
Beyond the physical trauma, affected women often suffer severe psychological and social rejection, many lose their babies, are abandoned by spouses, and are excluded from basic social activities.
United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has provided free Obstetric Fistula Surgeries for some women in the Ashanti Region as part of events commemorating the International Day to end Obstetric Fistula.
The initiative is part of broader efforts by UNFPA and other partners to eliminate Obstetric Fistula in Ghana by 2030. To combat the condition, five Hospitals across Ghana have been designated to offer free repair Surgeries including Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital in Kumasi.
In Kumasi, 50 women were screened at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital and 15 were picked for repairs. Three of them failed to qualify.
The estimated cost per patient around $700 covers transportation, surgery, and two weeks of recovery care.
“It’s not just about performing the surgery,” Madam Gle observed. “We must ensure each woman is transported safely, given a place to heal, and supported to rejoin her family and community.”
Ghana’s move toward self-sufficiency is a beacon of hope for countries battling similar maternal health challenges. With skilled delivery care now covering 87-88% of births in health facilities, the nation is making visible strides, but challenges remain.
She underscored the need to create more awareness about the deadly condition. She encouraged women with such condition to seek medical care.
Obstetric Fistula Surgeon at KATH, Dr Baffour Opoku, raised alarmed about severe psychological consequences for women suffering from Obstetric Fistula, including depression and a significant reduction in their quality of life.
He believed that one of the major health challenges facing women in Ghana, which appears to be a silent issue, though very debilitating, is Obstetric Fistula.
He said depression among patients are enormous as the condition causes women to leak urine or faeces or both.
He said majority of women who have this condition are living in isolation due to rejection they face from relatives and friends even though it is not infectious.
“Women who develop this abnormally usually suffer a chronic skin condition which is caused by the direct irritation of urine. Some patients also develop blisters and sores around their thighs caused by the constant urinary inconvenience and friction.
He said, even though most of these women with Obstetric Fistula lose their self-esteem and are easily depressed, they do not go out to seek help. They feel shy to talk about the situation.
Meanwhile, some relatives and husbands of these women believe the condition is punishment for having extra marital affairs.
