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,
I wish to use this esteemed platform to urge the traditional councils of Osu and La to call for independent investigation into the recent demolition exercise at Kaajaano.
The exercise rendered hundreds homeless.
Information about the reason for the demolition has been scanty with those desiring to know feeding heavily on social media posts.
One particular name –Jato, has been associated with it but under whose instruction the exercise was carried is also not known.
Sadly, instead of getting to know who ordered the demolition and for what reasons, traditional authorities of Osu and La have been embroiled in a tug-of-war over ownership of the said land.
This is premature. At this moment, they should call for investigation into the exercise to know the people behind it.
When that is done, then discussions about the owners of the site can begin. That would end the posture of the two neighbouring town which has the potential to turn into something else.
Ataa Osa Mensah,
Osu
Dear Editor,
I wish to use your respected platform to draw the attention of the Bank of Ghana (BoG) to the behaviour of traders and some drivers about the use of lower denomination coins, specifically the 20 and 10 pesewas.
About two weeks ago, I read in your sister newspaper, The Ghanaian Times about this problem and the caution that followed from the BoG and some economic analysts.
The warning they gave was that the continuous rejection of the notes could create pricing problems which can eventually affect inflation.
I thought that would put to bed that practice or refusal to accept the coins when given out as change or use to pay for particular service.
Unfortunately, the problem still persist among traders, drivers, customers and passengers alike. Only last week, there was as altercation in the Accra Central area where a woman refused to accept five 20 pesewas note totaling one cedi.
As the argument continued, the trader decided not to sell to the customer again after by-standers explained to her that it was still a legal tender and those that refused it could become offenders.
This is an issue the BoG and other regulatory agencies must go and explain to the people and let them know that it is unlawful not to accept a currency that is still in use.
It nothing was done, it could create a much more serious problems.
Mary Osei Badu,
Swedru
