Ghana today joins the rest of the world to mark International Day to End Obstetric Fistula
The day, which is under the theme: “Fistula is a human rights violation, end it now! would address the need for Fistula patients to have right to treatment and not to be violated.
A Member of the National Fistula Task Team, Dr Gabriel Ganyaglo, said many women and girls who suffer from obstetric fistula, an injury to the birth canal after prolonged and obstructed labour are often subjected to isolation, shame and segregation.
He said due to poverty, they are unable to receive prompt medical treatment and that deprives them of their health and dignity and described that as a violation of their human rights
Dr Ganyaglo said “No woman or girl should be deprived of her dignity, hopes and dreams because it is their right.
He said they need love and assistance to have the fistula repaired and be integrated back into society.
Obstetric Fistula is a distressing complication of prolonged, obstructed labour, resulting in the leakage of urine or faeces or both through the vagina. The smell of the leaking urine, faeces or both is constant and humiliating.
This, if left untreated, could lead to chronic medical problems including ulcerations and kidney diseases.
In Ghana, it is estimated that the average cost of fistula treatment including surgery and post-operative care, is approximately 700 dollars which is well beyond the reach of most women with the condition.
A study, carried out by the Ghana Health Service in 2015, estimated that about 1,300 new cases of fistula occurred every year and yet, only less than 100 cases are repaired each year leaving 1, 200 cases without care.
The UNFPA together with the National Obstetric Taskforce and the Ghana Health Service launched a National Obstetric Fistula Prevention and Management Strategy in 2017.
Dr Ganyaglo advised women who suffer from fistula conditions to report to health facilities and families who have such patients should take them to the health facility for the necessary assistance.
He called on other institutions to support the initiative financially to repair more cases and put smiles back on to the faces of the victims.
Each year, between 50,000 to 100,000 women worldwide are affected by obstetric fistula, with an estimation of more than 2 million young women living with untreated obstetric fistula in Asia and sub- Saharan Africa.
