Ghana joins the rest of world to Observe World Fistula Day

Ghana today, May 23, 2014 joins the United Nations member states, partners of the Campaign to End Fistula, and the rest of the world to celebrate World Fistula Day by raising awareness around the world about this dreadful condition.

The Day, which is on the theme: “Tracking Fistula-Transforming Lives,” would be used to reflect on an important step forward in eradicating this preventable condition which affects an estimated 2 million women and girls in developing countries.

Ms. Dennia Gayle, the UNFPA Country Representative, told the Ghana News Agency that the day is to generate new support and speed up the efforts of the Campaign to End Fistula, which are urgently needed to address this severely neglected health and human rights tragedy.

Obstetric fistula is an injury that occurs during prolonged, obstructed labour. This condition harms women physically, socially and economically, yet it is both treatable and preventable.

Its persistence around the world is a reflection of continued gender inequality, poverty and poor access to reproductive health services.

“To end fistula, we must ensure universal access to reproductive health services, including maternal health care and fistula treatment. We must also establish the means to track and follow-up with every woman or girl who has had an obstetric fistula,” Ms Gayle said.

To celebrate the day in Ghana, the UNFPA is supporting its partners to launch the day and organize an advocacy and awareness creation durbar in Kpandai in the Northern Region.

This was preceded by the inauguration of a national steering committee or national task force on obstetric fistula on May 21, 2014 here in Accra.

UNFPA Ghana has been supporting a campaign to end fistula since 2005, through awareness creation, identification and treatment of cases, as well as rehabilitation and integration.

“Critically, we must eliminate gender-based social and economic inequities, discourage early childbearing, promote education and human rights and foster community participation including the active involvement of men in finding solutions,” she said.

Ms. Gayle said there was the need to treat fistula and provide follow-up medical care and also know the number of women and girls who needed the services and know where they live.

“By systematically registering and tracking each woman and girl who has or had an obstetric fistula, we can make enormous strides in improving their well-being whilst the chances of the survival of subsequent pregnancies would be guaranteed,” she said.

In Ghana, only eight male doctors, all gynaecologists, have been repairing fistula in only eight designated hospitals.

These health facilities are Korle Bu, Komfo Anokye and Tamale Teaching hospitals, Tamale Fistula Centre, Saboba Medical Centre, Bolga Regional Hospital, Mankessim Fistula Centre, Nkwanta South District Hospital and Wa Regional Hospital.

In 2012, 616 cases were seen and 261 cases were repaired; in 2013, 427 cases were seen but 129 cases were repaired.