Editorial
Obstretric Fistula, a silent killer among women
Obstretric fistula is a silent killer among Ghanaian women and the larger global womenfolk.
It is caused primarily by prolonged or obstructed labour.
It leaves a hole between the birth canal and the bladder or rectum, leading to uncontrollable leakage of urine or faeces.
With this situation, what is supposed to be every woman’s dream to become a mother often turns a nightmare.
Sadly, some women who face this health peril are neglected by their families and spouses and left to fight their own battles.
In some rural areas where there is lack of infrastructure and inexperienced health professionals, some resort to herbal medicine.
According to the Ghana Health Service, about 1,200 new fistula cases are recorded annually, with less than 20 of these cases being repaired, meaning every woman after childbirth is likely to be affected.
On May 23, Ghana joined the world to mark the International Day to End Obstetric Fistula.
It was on the theme ‘Her health, her right: Shaping a future without fistula.’
The global observance serves as a crucial reminder of the urgent need for action to prevent and treat obstetric fistula worldwide, particularly in Ghana.
In order to eliminate Obstetric Fistula in Ghana by 2030, health officials, led by the Partnership to End Fistula in Ghana (PEFIC), is offering free surgeries for women living with obstetric fistula in five major hospitals.
These hospitals include the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (Kumasi), Ho Teaching Hospital (Volta Region), Tamale West Hospital (Northern Region), Mercy Women Catholic Hospital (Central Region), and Upper West Regional Hospital with an estimated cost per patient around $700, covering transportation, surgery, and two weeks of recovery care.
The Spectator applauds the health authorities for the initiative, because they are not just saving lives of victims but also restoring hope and confidence of women in Ghana.
The paper also calls on government to train healthcare professionals to expand capacity and urged affected women to seek medical attention after birth.
Dear Editor,
It is often said that a healthy nation is a wealthy nation. However, this saying becomes worrying when the health of citizens is threatened by the conditions under which the food they consume daily is sold.
In Ghana, the conditions under which food is sold is quite disturbing. Over the years, I have observed that the environments where food is prepared and sold are often unhygienic.
In many cases, containers holding food such as rice and waakye are left uncovered or not properly covered, exposing them to contamination.
While many Ghanaians paid little attention in the past to the conditions under which food was sold, the narrative seems to be changing in recent years.
I recall an incident during my days in Senior High School (S.H.S.) when my friends and I went out to buy food. At one location, some of us chose not to buy because we assumed the food would be expensive due to how neat the place looked.
Unfortunately, we ended up purchasing food from a different place that was somewhat unhygienic. We overlooked the poor conditions because we believed the quantity offered was better than at the cleaner location.
However, I am certain that my friends and I would not repeat such a mistake today, as we now understand the health implications of that decision.
While public education is important in addressing this issue, I believe it is time for regulatory and law enforcement agencies, such as the Food and Drug Authority (FDA), to crack the whip on food sellers and vendors who operate in unhygienic environments and conditions.
As citizens, we must also be mindful of where we buy our food to protect ourselves and our families from diseases and illnesses. We should choose ‘quality’ over ‘quantity’ and prioritize our health.
From Syram
Oyarifa
Dear Editor,
I write to express concern and call for improved security measures before and after every football match.
The recent robbery attack that led to the tragic death of a player, on their return from a Match day 29 game against Samartex, is both shocking and heartbreaking.
The incident, which reportedly occurred around 10:30 p.m., highlights the growing risks faced by players and team officials while traveling.
Football is meant to unite and entertain, not to expose lives to danger. It is therefore imperative that authorities, the Ghana Football Association, and security agencies put in place adequate protection for teams, especially during late-night travels.
I strongly urge all stakeholders to treat this matter with urgency to prevent such unfortunate incidents from recurring.
From Eugene Ampiaw
Accra
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