UNFPA and Qatar Charity Support Obstetric Fistula Holding Home at Yendi Government Hospital

Ghana Health Service (GHS), in partnership with Qatar Charity Ghana and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), has officially held a groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of a modern Fistula Holding Home at the forecourt of Yendi Government Hospital. Once completed, the facility will serve as a specialised centre for the management and treatment of obstetric fistula, a major maternal health condition affecting women in the Northern Region.

The ceremony brought together key stakeholders, including representatives from the Ghana Health Service, UNFPA, Qatar Charity, local government authorities, and traditional leaders.

In his remarks, Alhaji Alhassan Sulemana Gonje, the Board Chairman of the Yendi Government Hospital, noted that the absence of such a facility had made the treatment of fistula a persistent challenge, affecting the dignity and well-being of women suffering from the condition. He welcomed the collaboration of all stakeholders to make the project a success and ensure its sustainability. The Northern Regional Health Director, Dr Abdulai Abukari, was pleased to have the first shelter for fistula survivors constructed in his region.

Dr Marion Okoh, Director of Family Health at the hospital, in her statement, emphasised the need for a safe space where women can receive medical care and psychosocial support to recover and reintegrate into society. Speaking on behalf of the Director-General of Ghana Health Service, Dr Ofori Boadu welcomed the initiative and pledged the full support and commitment of Ghana Health Service to it.

The Country Director of Qatar Charity Organisation, Ghana, Mr Hasan Owda, expressed his organisation’s deep commitment to the construction of the holding home, noting that Qatar Charity is fully dedicated to supporting vulnerable populations with dignified healthcare solutions. He thanked all partners for the collaboration and pledged to ensure the project's successful completion.

UNFPA Country Representative, Dr Wilfred Ochan, echoed similar sentiments, appreciating the partnership and describing the initiative as critical to UNFPA’s mission of improving maternal health. He also acknowledged the members of the Partnership to End Fistula in Ghana (PEFIG), including Qatar Charity Organisation, which continues to commit significant financial and other resources to this notable cause. He urged the public to continue their engagement and support to bring smiles to the lives of many women living with obstetric fistula. He pledged that UNFPA will provide beds and essential equipment for the Fistula Holding Home – the Dignity Centre – once construction is completed by Qatar Charity. He highlighted that PEFIG resources had grown from USD 60,000 to about USD 700,000, leveraged from members, with its membership expanding from seven partners at its launch in December 2023 to eighteen partners by December 2024.

In his keynote address, the Northern Regional Minister, Hon. John Ali Adolf, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to improving healthcare delivery in the region. He commended Qatar Charity and UNFPA for their partnership and dedication, describing the project as a bold step towards ending fistula in the region. He assured all partners of his office’s full support to ensure the facility’s completion timely.

This initiative goes beyond just medical intervention. It aims to provide comprehensive care, including specialised treatment, psychological support, and social reintegration programmes, empowering women to reclaim their lives. PEFIG has already demonstrated promising results, with 168 fistula repairs carried out in 2024, an increase from about 60 in the previous year. A total of 22 fistula surgeries were performed in the Northern Region in 2024, with 13 conducted at Yendi Government Hospital and nine at Tamale West Hospital.

Eliminating obstetric fistula in Ghana requires collective action and urgency. With a strong network of health facilities in place, conducting routine repairs, the backlog of an estimated 7,000 to 13,000 unrepaired cases can be addressed while strengthening preventive measures. Increasing annual repair targets to 1,800 per year across 10 health facilities, each conducting 15 repairs per month, could eliminate obstetric fistula within seven years. The goal of eradicating fistula in Ghana is within reach, but it demands commitment from all stakeholders. By working together with determination, this debilitating condition can be consigned to history, ensuring a future where every woman in Ghana lives with dignity, health, and hope.

Obstetric fistula is a severe medical condition that occurs when prolonged or obstructed labour causes a hole between the birth canal and the bladder and/or rectum, leading to continuous and uncontrollable leakage of urine and/or faeces. In addition to causing significant physical and emotional distress, fistula often results in social isolation for the women affected by it.

The groundbreaking event marks a milestone in the fight against obstetric fistula in Ghana and signals hope for many women in the northern part of the country who have long awaited access to specialised care and rehabilitation.