Ghana needs to perform 2,249 obstetric fistula repairs each year to meet its 2030 elimination goal. This ambitious target follows a significant increase in surgeries, which have tripled in recent years due to concerted efforts.
Obstetric fistula is a severe childbirth injury. It happens when prolonged labour without timely medical care creates a hole between the birth canal and the bladder or rectum. This leads to constant leakage of urine or faeces. This condition can result in chronic health problems, infertility, and social isolation for affected women. An estimated 845 women in Ghana develop this condition annually. Fewer than 30 per cent receive necessary surgical repair.
The persistence of obstetric fistula highlights deep-seated inequalities in Ghana's maternal healthcare system. Women in rural and underserved areas face higher risks. Factors like poverty, child marriage, and adolescent pregnancy contribute to this problem. The overall burden of undiagnosed and unrepaired fistulas from before 2015 is estimated at 7,130 cases, according to a 2025 study. Ghana’s current incidence rate is 1.8 cases per 1,000 deliveries.
Dr. David Wilfred Ochan, the UNFPA Ghana Country Representative, stated that Ghana repaired over 200 fistula cases in 2025. "That is triple what we were doing before PEFIG," he noted. The Partnership to End Obstetric Fistula in Ghana (PEFIG) has been crucial. It has increased annual repairs from about 60 cases to over 200. Nine health facilities now offer routine repair services. These achievements are the result of collaboration between the Government of Ghana, including the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Finance, UNFPA, and partners like Qatar Charity Organisation and Fidelity Bank Ghana.
Achieving the 2030 target requires a sustained increase in repair rates. This means expanding surgical capacity and improving the reach of emergency obstetric care. The ongoing effort also includes preventing child marriage and adolescent pregnancy. Survivors need psychosocial, legal, and economic support. The UNFPA is urging Parliament to pass a resolution to eradicate fistula. Seven new corporate partners are sought for PEFIG in 2026, with a financial target of GHS 200,000. The UNFPA emphasizes that ending fistula is a shared national responsibility.