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‘Obstetric fistula requires attention amidst COVID-19’
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As medical practitioners are working tirelessly to curb the spread of COVID-19, health professionals have once again drawn attention to the plight of poor women living with obstetric fistula in the country.
They indicate that it is important to continue to create awareness of the disease and its devastating effect on women.
Prof. Anyetei T. Lassey,Professor in Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the University of Ghana Medical School believes “we mustprioritise and improve maternal health services” to prevent pregnancy and labour complications including obstetric fistula during the pandemic.”
According to him, the associated “stigma and shame” of the disease were horrendous hence the need to join hands and strengthen the partnership in the fight against obstetric fistula.
“Ensuring the continuity of maternal health services in the midst of COVID-19 may hopefully reduce the incidence of obstetric fistula in Ghana, while the National Obstetric Fistula Task Team and the Ghana Health Service, continue to repair the backlog of unrepaired already existing fistula cases.” he said.
Speaking to The Spectator, he stressed the need to end gender and health inequalities to help achieve global and national objective of ending fistula by 2030, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).
Madam Rose Mantey, Senior Nursing Officer and Midwife in-charge of the Fistula Centre of Mercy Women’s Hospital, Mankessim, in the Central Region, also indicated that those with the condition “deserve our respect and empathy.”
“As a Senior Nursing Officer, I have worked with so many women and girls with obstetric fistula and I would not wish this condition on anyone.
“It is a humiliating condition. My prayer is that everyone with obstetric fistula would be repaired to help clear the backlog of existing cases in the country,” she said.
She said that most pregnant women and girls were apprehensive about accessing maternal health services due to the fear of COVID-19.
That, she said, could increase the probability of prolonged or undetected obstructed labour, which could increase cases of obstetric fistula.
“We need to encourage all pregnant women and girls to seek the services of a skilled birth attendant amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.
“It is my wish people become aware of this condition and we all work hard to prevent them from happening in the first place, so that in the near future Ghana would no longer report cases of obstetric fistula,” she added.
Dr Patrick Kuma-Aboagye, Director General of the Ghana Health Service, commenting on the subject, also admittedwomen and girls “silently suffer indignity and shame simply because they have obstetric fistula.”
“Their sufferings push us to continue to put measures in place to prevent others from developing this devastating childbirth-related complication amidst the fight against coronavirus pandemic.
“My outfit will ensure the continuity of the provision of essential health services, which included sexual and reproductive health services for all amid the fight against COVID-19,” he said.
He stated Ghanaians especially women should not lose sight of the gains made by the Ghana Health Service and development partners in preventing and managing fistula cases.
“I encourage everyone to access maternal health services to ensure that complications such as obstetric fistula are prevented while adhering to the mandatory precautionary procedures of handwashing, using hand sanitisers, wearing nose masks and observing physical distancing,” he said.
By Geoffrey Buta
General Secretary of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Justin Kodua Frimpong, has filed his nomination to contest the position of General Secretary again as the party begins its rebuilding efforts ahead of the 2028 general elections.
He was accompanied by party stalwarts and supporters who were in high spirits, expressing confidence that he is the right person to hold the position.
Speaking after filing his nomination, Mr Kodua Frimpong assured the rank and file of the party that he would not disappoint them.
“I can assure you that the faith the rank and file of the party have had in me, I will never disappoint them,” he said.
He also pledged to run a clean campaign devoid of personal attacks.
“I can assure you that our internal campaign will be devoid of personal attacks,” he told his fellow contestants and the rank and file of the party as he seeks to retain his position.
His tenure has seen the party through the 2024 general elections, where the NPP lost power to the National Democratic Congress (NDC) after eight years in government.
The party is currently in a rebuilding phase, with internal elections scheduled to elect new national executives to lead its reorganization towards the 2028 polls.
The General Secretary position is considered one of the most influential in the party’s administrative structure, responsible for the day-to-day running of the party secretariat and implementation of party decisions.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
The University of Ghana Medical Centre (UGMC) has disputed claims made on social media by comedian Michael Blackson concerning the treatment given to his late mother, saying a review found that the allegations did not accurately reflect what happened during her stay at the hospital.
In a statement issued in Accra on August 5, 2026, the management of UGMC expressed condolences to Mr. Blackson and his family over the death of his 83-year-old mother, who died at the facility on July 16, 2026.
The hospital said it had taken the concerns raised by Mr. Blackson seriously and conducted a thorough review in line with its clinical and administrative procedures.
According to the statement, the facts presented by Mr. Blackson on social media contained “numerous inaccuracies” and did not accurately reflect the medical care provided to his mother.
UGMC explained that she was referred to the facility from another hospital and received treatment there from May 27 to July 16, 2026, a period of about eight weeks.
The hospital stated that it would not release details of her diagnosis, treatment, medical records or other aspects of her care because it had a duty to protect patient confidentiality, even after death.
It said the decision was intended to respect the dignity of the deceased and the privacy of her family.
UGMC further stated that all clinical decisions at the facility are made by qualified healthcare professionals based on medical judgment, established standards of care and the best interests of the patient.
The statement added that such decisions are made in consultation with authorised family representatives where necessary and that billing and financial procedures are governed by institutional policies and are separate from clinical decision-making.
The hospital noted that it values feedback from patients and their families and considers both positive and negative comments important for improving the quality of care.
Mr. Blackson had earlier used social media to criticise the care his mother received at UGMC, prompting the hospital’s response.
By: Jacob Aggrey
