UNFPA VRS FISTULA
Growing up in this country on the west coast of Africa is one
of great adventure and expectation in the life of a young Ghanaian girl. Right
from puberty to adolescence to the warm arms of adulthood, it is the dream of
every woman to be a mother and cuddle her baby in her arms, singing one of the
numerous soothing Ghanaian lullabies. For whichever reason, a woman needs to
get married and have babies; it is one of great cultural essence and prestige.
However, it becomes stressful and heartbreaking for a woman who is unable to
have babies or have a safe delivery due to limited health care and awareness.
One of such hurdles is fistula, a condition in women.
According
to the results of the 2010 Population and Housing Census on 31st May
2012 by the Ghana Statistical Service, there is an estimated 12,633,978 women
in Ghana. This represents 51.2% of the total population, stressing the essence
of the United Nations Population Fund in addressing maternal health challenges.
The pace of female dominance in Ghana’s population over the years undeniably
exposes the country to more cases of female related health issues.
Obstetric Fistula also known as vaginal fistula is a severe
morbidity caused by prolonged obstructed labor unrelieved by timely medical
intervention. Though this condition can be treated, it is the major cause of
maternal mortality especially in the Northern part of the country. According to
the World Health Organization, between 500, 000 and 100,000 (cross-check these
figures) women worldwide are affected by obstetric fistula, which is
characterized by a hole in the birth canal.
In some parts of Ghana where access to healthcare is an issue
to contend with, there have been increasing reports of women living with
fistula for over forty years without seeking medical attention. Fortunately,
fistula is avoidable. Unfortunately, not many women know about it. Obstetric
fistula can be avoided by timely access to obstetric care, delaying the age of
first pregnancy and the cessation of harmful traditional practices such as
Female Genital Cutting.
The United Nations Population Fund has taken giant strides to
thrush out this canker. UNFPA has rolled out programs to educate young and
adult women on the causes and implications of this condition. The UNFPA has
recognized the essence of education in fighting the problem of fistula. This is
reiterated by media training programs organized in the bid to create awareness
on the condition. UNFPA has also gone a step further to equip women with tools
that will help rid them of this condition which is done in the effort to reduce
maternal mortality to the barest minimum in Ghana. Obstetric Fistula
contributes to the number of maternal deaths we have in the country.
The highest rates of obstetric fistula are found in countries
that are less developed. Fighting Fistula falls under the mandate of the UNFPA
which focuses on improving Adolescent Reproductive Health, reducing the rates
of teenage pregnancy, improving sexual health, and eliminating early marriages.
The global campaign to End Fistula is an integral component
of UNFPAs overall strategy to improve maternal health which also includes
interventions to avoid fistula, treat women who have fistula and help women
affected by fistula recover. Women with fistula face among other medical
symptoms, incontinence, shame, social segregation and stigma. It is sad to say
that lack of access to contraceptives among girls in rural Ghana results in
adolescent and teenage pregnancy cases which in turn causes the risk of
conditions such as fistula and invariably maternal mortality. Goal 5 of the
Millennium Development Goals is a major priority of the UNFPA. It aims at
improving maternal health by reducing by three- quarters the maternal mortality
ratio. UNFPA’s priority is to help make fistula as rare in developing countries
as it is in the developed world. This is because; a decrease in the number of
fistula patients means a decrease in the rate of maternal deaths. It is worth
noting that the interventions used helps UNFPA not only reduce the fistula
rate, but achieve other positive results in the interest of young people and
women.
In Ghana, pregnant women in some rural areas lack access to
obstetric care where some Traditional Birth Attendants (TBAs) are unable to
provide the right anti-natal advice or care to their clients. Some of these
TBAs are unable to manage complications that come alongside child birth due to
no or less professional training in handling labor complications. In some parts of Ghana, women who give birth
without assistance are seen as brave. This is causing a major challenge of
likely maternal mortality cases. Women in such areas are not aware and informed
on modern birth practices and the implications of some decisions and actions
they take. This makes the issue of maternal mortality more than a mandate but a
drive of passion to UNFPA as it seeks to improve the livelihoods and Sexual and
Reproductive Health of women and young people in Ghana.
The implications of some decisions by the Government of Ghana
to tax condoms is one that will undeniably affect the effort and path the UNFPA
Ghana Country Office has taken in reducing maternal mortality. The male and
female condoms are the most popular dual purpose contraceptives – prevents
pregnancy and, HIV & AIDS and other STIs. Affordability and accessibility
of condoms as contraceptives is one of the most effective ways of avoiding
maternal deaths through preventing unplanned and early pregnancies. When young
people have access to condoms, they can avoid unplanned pregnancies and invariably
prevent maternal deaths. Therefore it is rather disheartening that the
Government of Ghana is proposing an increase in the prices of condoms in the
country. In a bid to contribute to the development of the country, it is
prudent for all stakeholders and civil society organizations to take up issues
of healthcare and essentially the welfare of Ghanaian women in Ghana and make
them a priority in every issue of human development.
The issues of obstetric fistula can be reduced or curbed with
access to quality healthcare and adequate education. It is therefore my wish
that civil society organizations, Non Governmental Organizations, the Ministry
of Health and other government machinery in charge of education, healthcare
and rural development to take up these responsibilities to help save the lives
of Ghanaian women in a direction that will complement the work of the United
Nations Population Fund to help attain Goal 5 of the Millennium Development
Goals.
