As part of activities earmarked for observing the International Day, May 23, to end fistula, the Ghana Health Service, Ministry of Health and United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) launched Ghana Obstetric Fistula Prevention and Management Strategic Plan.

The plan, which is to reduce cases of Obstetric Fistula significantly in the country particularly in the prevalent Northern part of Ghana starts from 2017 to 2022.

Obstetric fistula is one of the most serious and tragic injuries that can occur during childbirth. It is a hole between the vagina, rectum and/or bladder caused by prolonged, obstructed labour without treatment.

Statistics show that women numbering between 700 and 1300 suffer from Obstetric Fistula yearly. A management task force was also inaugurated to steer the affairs of the strategic plan.

Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Otiko Afisa Djaba called on the general public not to see women suffering from obstetric fistula as outcast, subsequently reject them.

She added that the Gender Ministry is keen on fostering efforts together with all stakeholders to make Ghana an obstetric fistula free. The ministry help repair and treated 155 women last year. And that affected persons would also be rolled onto the LEAP programme.

In explaining the rationale behind the strategic plan, Consultant for the plan and Senior Lecturer of School of Medical Sciences, UCC, Dr. Sebastian Eliason, mentioned that the plan is the path to making Ghana free from such conditions in the next 15yrs.

The strategic plan, which involves prevention, strengthening, management, monitoring and evaluation as a result of the prevailing problems facing Ghana. The cost of the five-year strategic plan is at a whopping $ 16 million dollars