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Tamale Central Hosp performs 540 fistula surgeries …out of 600 cases
The Tamale Central Hospital (TCH), in the Northern Regional capital has successfully carried out 540 Obstetric Fistula (OBF) surgeries, out of 600 cases over the past four years, the Medical Superintendent of the hospital, Dr Mahamadu Mbiniwaya has disclosed.
He told the Ghanaian Times Thursday in Tamale that the surgery had saved the lives of the women and restored their dignity because they were objects of stigmatisation in their communities.
The cost of fistula surgery is $300 but the United Nations Population Fund (UNFA) supports the TCH, which is the main centre for fistula services for the six regions of the north, with logistics to carry out the surgery for free, he said.
OBF is a debilitating condition caused by obstructed labour, that creates a hole between the bladder and the vagina causing affected women to leak urine or faeces.
The incidence of OBF in Ghana is estimated at 1.8 per 1000 deliveries, according to a report on the burden of OBF in Ghana, authored by the UNFPA and Ghana Health Service in June, 2015.
The report says OBF remains a constant cause of misery to women because of the continuous leaking of urine or faeces and constant wetting of their clothes coupled with emitting of offensive smell.
Dr Mbiniwaya said that the condition was common with women in the rural areas who lacked access to healthcare during birth.
According to him about 90 per cent of women with OBF lose their babies during birth.
The renowned gynaecologist said he had been teaming up with other specialists from the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital to carry out the surgery to help restore the health and dignity of women.
He explained that the women suffered stigmatisation as a result of the condition adding, “They leak urine and smell badly when they are in the midst of other people, so they are shunned and stigmatised.”
Dr Mbiniwaya cited the case of a particular woman who had the condition and kept it to herself for over 30 years because of stigmatisation.
“We operate them, treat them and counsel them, they return to the communities to lead normal lives,” Dr Mbiniwaya said.
“One woman emotionally broke down and rendered her gratitude after she went through a successful fistula surgery,” he added.
He added that 20 women at Kpandai who had the condition were being prepared to undergo the surgery next month.
The TCH boss urged the women who had fistula to come forward for free surgery and treatment, and also encourage people not to stigmatise women with fistula.
Source: Ghanaian Times
Troubled and anxious citizens in Damongo of the Savannah Region have expressed concerns about the number of young people, believed to be under the age of 18, involved in ‘shisha’ smoking in pubs and drinking spots within the township.
Eyewitnesses say the minors were seen patronising nightlife venues, where Shisha smoking happen in the open.
The situation has sparked renewed public concern over the enforcement of child protection laws and regulations governing the operations of entertainment centres in the municipality and country as a whole.
An eyewitness, who spoke to The Spectator on conditions of anonymity for security reasons, noted that the situation was becoming increasingly common.
“This is not a one-off incident. It is becoming very common, but residents like us cannot openly report or speak about it because our lives will be at risk,” he said.
Under Ghanaian law, minors were prohibited from patronising Shisha.
Public health experts have consistently warned that shisha use exposes users to harmful substances that can negatively affect brain development, respiratory health, and overall well-being, particularly among young people.
The residents believe the alleged incidents point to broader challenges relating to youth supervision, substance abuse, and weak enforcement of existing regulations and have called on municipal authorities, security agencies, and regulatory bodies to intensify monitoring of pubs and entertainment centres to ensure compliance with the law.
In an effort to address the menace, Mr Salisu Be-Awurbi, the Savannah Regional Minister, has led public education campaigns, engaged security agencies, and supported enforcement actions to address the rising use of illicit substances in the region.
Wura Kelly Seidu Boresah I, the Chief of Damongo, has also called on all stakeholders including parents, community leaders, institutions, and young people to actively support efforts to curb drug abuse, warning that the rising consumption of hard drugs poses a serious health threat to the future of the youth in the Savannah Region.
He also cautioned individuals involved in the sale and distribution of illicit drugs to immediately desist from the practice, stressing that offenders will face arrest and prosecution in accordance with the law.
From Geoffrey Buta, Damongo, Savannah Region
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Dr Theresa Baffour, an advocate for ending violence and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of SAHM SAHW Foundation, has said that society plays a critical and pivotal role in breaking the cycle of domestic violence.
According to her, domestic violence is a major contributor of making women, who are mostly the victims, mentally derailed and unable to engage in economic activities.
She said this when the foundation called on the Ga Mantse, Nii Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, to solicit support for the initiative by the “Strong and Healthy Minds, Strong and Healthy Women” (SAHM SAHW) to combat domestic violence within the Ga State.
The visit was occasioned by the fact that domestic violence cases have become quite prevalent in the Ga communities and is retarding growth.
According to her, the canker was an impediment to national development because the victims were usually tortured and would have to go through series of therapies to return to the right state of mind.
Dr Baffour mentioned that Gender-Based Violence (GBV) places a mental toll on women, and was, therefore, important to break the cycle through comprehensive mental health support, crisis intervention and empowerment programmes in communities with high rates of GBV.
This intervention, she underscored, would help in empowering the denigrated victim of domestic violence to soundly heal, build and thrive.
Dr Baffour added that the initiative would provide holistic, trauma-informed mental health care and advocacy for young women affected by domestic violence.
According to her, the above statement would create safe spaces for healing and equipping them with entrepreneurial skills for renewed hope and empowered life.
The Ga Mantse pledged his support for the laudable initiative to combat domestic violence and also acknowledged the need to address it in the Ga State.
Further endorsement came from Justice Julia Naa-Yarley Adjei Amoah, Chief of Staff at the Office of the Ga Mantse, as she commended the team of SAHM SAHW Foundation for taking a bold step to end the canker in the Greater Accra.
She added that it was a step in the right direction to save vulnerable women from torture, stress and emotional abuse.
By Alfred Nii Arday Ankrah
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