Let’s accelerate efforts to end obstetric fistula — Segbefia
The Minister of Health, Mr Alex Segbefia, has called for the intensification of efforts aimed at ending obstetric fistula to effectively eradicate the condition and restore the dignity of women.
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He said the condition was not only a threat to the lives of the women but also had economic consequences on the nation.
Mr Segbefia was speaking at the launch of a booklet and documentary on survivors of obstetric fistula in Accra.
It was organised by the Media Foundation Network for West Africa (MFNWA) and Media and Communication Advocacy Network (MCAN).
“We must end this severely neglected tragedy to restore the dignity of our women. “ he said.
The health minister said complications such as prolonged labour and stillbirths should be taken care of immediately by health professionals to prevent the condition, adding that early child marriage and premature childbirth should also be prevented in society.
Mr Segbefia said men should also be engaged and educated on the need to support their wives and other relations when they were faced with the condition because of the psychological impact.
He asked the global community to intensify its support to countries struggling with the prevention of the condition.
He commended the MCAN, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and other stakeholders for their efforts in the prevention of the condition and also for rehabilitating the women through the provision of skills for livelihoods after treatment.
Obstetric fistula
Obstetric fistula is a childbirth-related injury that has been largely neglected, despite its devastating impact on the lives of women.
It is usually caused by prolonged, obstructed labour, without timely medical intervention, such as an emergency caesarean section.
The sustained pressure of the baby’s head on the mother’s pelvic bone damages soft tissues, creating a hole (fistula) between the vagina, the bladder and or rectum.
Appeal
The spokesperson for MCAN, Ms Rosemary Ardayfio, said due to unfriendly living conditions, most relatives who went to the fistula treatment centre in Tamale ended up leaving before the patients were healed.
According to her, the centre had no accommodation facility for the relatives of the patients and because they could not afford to pay for accommodation, they ended up sleeping at car parks and under shelters which exposed them to harsh weather conditions.
Ms Ardayfio appealed to the government, individuals and corporate entities to come to the aid of the patients and help construct a hostel that would accommodate the families of the fistula patients at the centre.
Treatment
The representative of the UNFPA, Dr Babatunde Ahonsi, said almost 1,500 women had undergone fistula surgery and out of that, about 200 had received training in one skill or the other to enable them to get a trade to support their families.
He said the UNFPA was committed to ensuring that the condition was dealt with in the best way possible and commended the fistula survivors who had the courage to share their story to encourage others to seek treatment.
