Twenty patients at the Tamale Fistula Centre will have free surgery, sponsored by employees of Vodafone Ghana.

A fund-raiser by the Vodafone employees generated GHC 12,000 to treat the victims of Obstetric Fistula in the Northern Region, and also raise awareness of the condition that affects many young women in that region during childbirth.

The fundraiser was in support of a global initiative by Vodafone, to eradicate the condition in Tanzania where there is an unusually high number of young women suffering from the condition.

The employees’ fundraising activities included auctioning items donated by staff members themselves, sale of items donated by Vodafone Group, and cash donations from family and friends.

Carmen Bruce-Annan, Head of Corporate Communications, Vodafone Ghana, said the employees “were all touched by the suffering of these women in Tamale, who have had to go through traumatic childbirth which has resulted in a condition they cannot afford to correct.

“We were very keen to take the opportunity to change the lives of some of these women, and also raise awareness of the condition.”

The plight of women suffering from Obstetric Fistula was first highlighted in HealthLine, Vodafone’s flagship TV show, where five women received free surgery to treat their condition.

Obstetric fistula is a severe medical condition in which a hole develops between either the rectum and vagina, or between the bladder and vagina after severe or failed childbirth, when adequate medical care is not available.

Sufferers of this disorder are usually also subject to severe social stigma due to odour, perceptions of uncleanliness, a mistaken assumption of venereal disease and, in some cases, the inability to have children.

The nurses at the fistula centre expressed their heartfelt gratitude at the gesture.

Speaking on behalf of the hospital and patients, the Administrator of the Centre, Mr Jeremiah Tiimob, said “this act of generosity by employees of Vodafone Ghana needs to be applauded. Apart from the good work that the company is doing through HealthLine and other life-changing initiatives, it is very gratifying to know that the employees are also deeply involved in improving the lives of community members.”