Commemoration of the International Day to End Obstetric Fistula (IDEOF) – 2025
Motto: Her health, her right: Shaping a future without fistula in Ghana
Background
Obstetric fistula is one of the most serious and tragic childbirth injuries, occurring when an abnormal connection forms between the birth canal and the bladder and/or rectum. It results from prolonged, obstructed labour without timely access to emergency obstetric care, particularly a cesarean section. This condition leaves affected women incontinent, uncontrollably leaking urine, faeces, or both uncontrollably, leading to chronic medical complications, depression, severe social stigma, isolation, and worsening poverty due to job loss.
In Ghana, approximately 1,352 women per 751,205 deliveries develop obstetric fistula annually, with an incidence rate of 1.8 per 1,000 deliveries. According to the Assessment of Obstetric Fistula in Ghana by the Ghana Health Service (GHS, 2015), only 40 per cent of cases were repaired, while between 711 and 1,352 new cases emerge each year.
Recognising the devastating impact of obstetric fistula, May 23 has been designated as the International Day to End Obstetric Fistula (IDEOF) to raise awareness, promote prevention, increase access to surgical repair, and support survivor reintegration. This global observance serves as a crucial reminder of the urgent need for action to prevent and treat obstetric fistula worldwide, particularly in Ghana.
Building on the success of past campaigns and the commitment of national and international partners, this year’s IDEOF celebration will focus on community engagement, survivor empowerment, and enhanced partnerships. These efforts aim to not only reduce the prevalence of obstetric fistula but also restore dignity and hope to affect women and girls.
The campaign will be about the effort of current Partnership to End Obstetric Fistula In Ghana (PEFIG) membership.
Objectives
To increase awareness on actions needed to repair OF in Ghana
○ Resolution in Parliament by MOH or Health Caucus in Parliament on the need for eradication, conduct repairs in five sites on IDEOF by task team, mobilise patients for one month before repairs using MCAN and telephone conference.
Use local radio stations in target regions to mobilise patients for repairs from May 23 to 30 2025. (Average of 10 to 15 repairs /site = 50 to 75 in total)
To expand PEFIG membership:
Boost the membership of PEFIG by engaging additional stakeholders such as private sector telecom organisations, financial institutions, and other potential partners. (Target is 7 more corporate members for 2025)
Convene corporate breakfast meeting on OF
To mobilise technical and financial for fistula management:
Gather financial and technical support to facilitate cost-effective fistula repair, strengthen reintegration programmes for survivors, and enhance prevention efforts.
Target is GH¢ 200,000
● To foster community engagement:
Use innovative outreach strategies ranging from market engagements to community durbars to reach both urban and rural populations, ensuring that even those in high-burden areas are actively included.
Proposed Activities
Pre-launch activities
1. Conduct media campaign
● Collaborate with MCAN to raise awareness, break stigma and mobilise stakeholder support for PEFIG. MCAN will cover the multi- site repairs and present relevant stories in the media.
● Organise community durbars, market outreaches, radio and TV programmes on
Fistula
Launch
2. Organise corporate breakfast.
The corporate breakfast will provide a unique platform for the Fistula surgical team to dialogue, share experiences, and stories with corporate leaders. This strategy seeks to galvanise the support of the corporate sector for fistula management.
3. Conduct multi-site live surgeries with media coverage across the country.
The live surgeries will form part of ongoing efforts to routinise fistula repairs. Selected sites include:
I. GR -Korle Bu Teaching Hospital – 10 to 15 cases
II. VR -Trafalgar Hospital – at least 10 cases
III. Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital 10 to 15 cases
IV. Northern Region Tamale West Hospital more than 10 cases
Post-launch activities
Collaborate with TV3’s Ghana Most Beautiful contest to have one of the upcoming beauty queens adopt fistula awareness and advocacy as their project, championing the cause to amplify visibility and drive support for affected women.
Expected results
● At least 50 OF cases repaired
● Enhanced Public Awareness:
A marked increase in community knowledge about obstetric fistula, its prevention, and treatment options.
● Increased PEFIG Membership:
Successful onboarding of additional members from diverse sectors, strengthening the network’s capacity to mobilise resources.
● Improved Survivor Support:
Greater visibility and support for fistula survivors through documented reintegration journeys and direct engagement with community and policy leaders.
● Mobilised Resources:
Secured financial and technical commitments for fistula repair surgeries and broader maternal health initiatives.
● Robust Community Engagement:
Demonstrated effective outreach through dual-location events that cater to both urban and rural needs, ensuring inclusivity and targeted impact.
Role of partners:
Suggestions:
● PEFIG partners in banking (Fidelity and Access) could crowdsource funds for the whole of the Month of May for fistula
● MCAN support media advocacy, awareness and develop stories
● WFP provide nutritional support for survivors
Conclusion
UNFPA Ghana’s IDEOF 2025 celebration will raise awareness, secure resources, and strengthen multi-sector collaboration to end obstetric fistula. Through a strategic dual-location approach, strong survivor advocacy, corporate engagement, and digital innovation, this initiative will contribute to the long-term elimination of obstetric fistula in Ghana.
Together, we can eradicate OF in Ghana.
AUNFPA feature
