Ghana offers free surgeries in bold move to end painful childbirth injury by 2030

In a major step to improve women’s health, Ghana has begun offering free surgeries for obstetric fistula at five regional hospitals. This move brings hope to thousands of women who have silently suffered from this painful childbirth injury.

Obstetric fistula is a serious medical condition that happens when a woman experiences long or difficult labour without proper medical help. It causes a hole between the birth canal and the bladder or rectum, which leads to constant leaking of urine or faeces. As a result, women often feel ashamed, isolated, and even abandoned by their families or communities.

The announcement was made on May 23, 2025, during the International Day to End Obstetric Fistula, by Dr. Wilfred Ochan, the Country Representative of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), at the Ho Teaching Hospital.

“This year, we are not just talking about fistula we are healing it, one woman at a time,” said Dr. Ochan.

“These are not just patients; they are mothers, wives, daughters who are left to suffer in silence,” Dr. Ochan said. Until now, many women especially those in rural areas could not afford surgery, which costs about $700. This includes the operation, transport, and two weeks of care after the procedure.

Now, five hospitals are providing the surgery for free:

● Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (Ashanti)

● Ho Teaching Hospital (Volta)

● Tamale West Hospital (Northern)

● Mercy Women Catholic Hospital (Central)

● Upper West Regional Hospital

The campaign is led by the Partnership to End Fistula in Ghana (PEFIC), launched in 2023 by former First Lady Rebecca Akufo-Addo. It has grown from seven to 18 partner organisations, including banks, government ministries, NGOs, and global health groups.

Qatar Charity is building a shelter for patients in Yendi, and the Ministry of Gender is building a modern theatre in Tamale. The Ghana Health Service is providing expert staff and facilities.“This is how you change a country when ministries, hospitals, banks, NGOs, and international partners rally around a single mission: to give women their lives back,” Dr. Ochan said.

Behind every surgery is a woman finding her voice again.“These women have been shunned from dinner tables, from beds, from society. Today, Ghana is saying: you matter, and you deserve healing,” he added.

Though maternal health has improved, Ghana still has a high number of deaths during childbirth and injuries like fistula. But the country is now leading its own fight.

“Ghana has moved from donor dependence to national ownership of the fight against fistula,” Dr. Ochan said. “This is no longer just an intervention, it is a promise.” By 2030, Ghana aims to eliminate this condition for good.