The 7th anniversary of the establishing of the International Day to End Obstetric Fistula by the United Nations was marked in Ghana on the 23 of May 2019. The day is celebrated globally to raise awareness of the devastating and dreadful effects of prolonged labour, which leads to obstetric fistula; a condition that causes women to leak either urine or faeces or both.

In Ghana, series of media events were held, including a media forum to climax the day and to highlight the fact that obstetric fistula is a curable condition. It is noted that many women who have this condition live in isolation, shame and social segregation, because society shuns them. This compounds their already vulnerable and marginalized situation. It is more devastating to know that women who have obstetric fistula, most of the times lose their babies.

Speaking at the press conference organized by the Ghana Health Service, with support from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in Accra, the Director of the Family Health Division of the Ghana Health Service, Dr. Patrick Aboagye, said that even though the condition is curable, the challenge is how to get the victims to offer themselves to be repaired; many of whom would prefer to live in isolation for fear of stigmatization. He noted that, for obstetric fistula to be eradicated, socio-economic factors, such as low income, minimal control of over household incomes and the provision of adequate accessible ante-natal health care centers should be dealt with. Almost all the speakers at the forum agreed that there is some shortcomings in our health system which is contributing greatly to this “social calamity”.

“If we take ante natal care seriously then obstetric fistula can be reduced. Another challenge is training more surgeons to carry out the repairs” says Dr. Aboagye

“The persistence of obstetric fistula echoes broader health inequities and health-care system constraints, such as lack of access to family planning, skilled attendance at birth and emergency obstetric care; in addition to the violation of the rights of women and girls”  noted UNFPA Deputy Country Representative, Erika Goldson

Professor Anyetei Lassey, who is the chairman of the Ghana Obstetric Fistula Taskforce Team, spoke passionately about the condition and was emphatic that failure of the state to provide timely services to the woman or girl in labour, has led to many fistula cases, which is a violation of human rights. “Health systems are failing the poor and marginalized in our societies”. He said that, as part of the National

Strategic Plan to end Obstetric Fistula in Ghana,  plans are being executed to help in eradicating fistula from the country and these include strengthening the health system for identification and referral of fistula cases; increasing  and improving the capacities of the surgical systems; as well as improving access to timely caesarean sections in our hospitals.

UNFPA, has since 2003, engaged in a long battle against obstetric fistula and is still committed to supporting the fight against the injustices to women and girls, as well as those with the condition.

To end obstetric fistula, we must ensure universal access to quality sexual and reproductive health services; eliminate gender-based social and economic inequities and prevent child marriage, among others. UNFPA pledges its unflinching commitment and support to realizing this noble cause.