Kumasi: Dr. Grace Ayensu-Danquah, Deputy Minister of Health, has announced plans by the Ministry of Health to pursue the establishment of standalone obstetric fistula treatment centres across the country to improve access to specialised care for affected women. She said the initiative would help reduce the burden on patients seeking treatment and support efforts to eliminate obstetric fistula, a debilitating childbirth injury that continues to affect hundreds of women annually.
According to Ghana News Agency, the announcement was made during Dr. Ayensu-Danquah's visit to the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) in Kumasi, as part of activities marking the International Day to End Obstetric Fistula. The visit was undertaken jointly by the Ministry of Health, Parliament's Health, the Parliamentary Caucus on Population and Development, and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).
The Deputy Minister commended healthcare professionals at KATH for their dedication to treating women living with fistula and restoring their dignity. She noted that obstetric fistula remains one of the most neglected maternal health conditions despite its devastating impact on affected women. Often associated with stigma, the condition causes many women to suffer in silence, delaying their access to treatment.
Dr. Ayensu-Danquah expressed appreciation to the UNFPA for its longstanding support in addressing obstetric fistula in Ghana through treatment, advocacy, and capacity-building initiatives. Discussions are underway to establish a dedicated fistula centre at KATH to provide comprehensive pre-operative, surgical, and post-operative care under one roof, addressing the current challenge where patients have to move through different sections of the hospital for treatment.
She cited the successful establishment of a standalone fistula centre at Yendi in the Northern Region, developed with support from UNFPA, as a model that could be replicated in other parts of the country. Ghana's long-term vision is to develop three specialised fistula centres of excellence in the northern, middle, and southern belts of the country to improve access to quality care and enhance training for health professionals.
Dr. Wilfred Ochan, UNFPA Country Representative for Ghana, joined the visit to show solidarity with fistula survivors and encourage health workers involved in their care. He described healthcare providers as critical partners in restoring dignity, hope, and opportunities to women affected by the condition. A recent study conducted by UNFPA in collaboration with the Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons estimated that about 845 new obstetric fistula cases occur in Ghana each year, with figures ranging between 700 and 1,300 cases annually.
Despite improvements in treatment services, the country still faces a backlog of between 10,000 and 12,000 untreated cases. Most women affected by obstetric fistula are young, have limited education, and live in rural communities with inadequate access to maternal healthcare services. Dr. Ochan stressed the need for intensified prevention, early detection, and treatment efforts, as well as increased public awareness to encourage affected women to seek care.
The International Day to End Obstetric Fistula is observed annually to raise awareness about the condition and mobilise support for its prevention and treatment.