Access Bank Ghana PLC and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) have launched a new financing initiative aimed at accelerating the elimination of obstetric fistula in Ghana through expanded treatment, public awareness and sustainable funding.
The renewed partnership under the Partnership to End Obstetric Fistula in Ghana includes the establishment of a Fistula Trust Fund, designed to provide a transparent and long-term platform for individuals and organisations to support women requiring corrective surgery.
The partners also introduced a digital donation platform, developed in collaboration with the Chango App, which will enable members of the public to contribute to the initiative through a mobile short code.
Speaking at the signing ceremony in Accra, Eugene Ocansey, Executive Director for Retail and SME Banking at Access Bank Ghana, said the renewed agreement represented a long-term commitment to improving women’s health and restoring dignity to women affected by obstetric fistula.
He said the bank had supported the “Fist Against Fistula” campaign since 2018, funding corrective surgeries, advocacy and fundraising efforts in collaboration with healthcare professionals and development partners.
“The agreement we have signed today is not a ceremonial formality. It is a structural commitment built on transparency, accountability and quality care for every woman we serve,” he said.
According to Mr. Ocansey, more than 300 women have undergone corrective surgery through the initiative since it was launched.
He called on government institutions, corporate organisations, the Ghanaian diaspora and individuals to support the campaign, stressing that no single institution could eliminate the country’s obstetric fistula backlog alone.
UNFPA Deputy Representative Dr. Emmily Naphambo described obstetric fistula as a preventable childbirth-related injury that continues to affect hundreds of women every year in Ghana.
She said available studies estimate that between 700 and 1,200 women develop obstetric fistula annually, while thousands more continue to live with untreated cases because of financial and geographical barriers to surgery.
“UNFPA cannot do it alone, and the Government of Ghana cannot do it alone. That is why the private sector is such an important partner in ensuring that these women receive the support they deserve,” she said.
Dr. Naphambo noted that women living with obstetric fistula often face social stigma, economic exclusion and family breakdown, but successful surgery allows them to regain their health and reintegrate into their communities.
She said partners currently support about 200 corrective surgeries each year and aim to repair approximately 4,280 cases by 2030.
The long-term goal, she added, is to integrate fistula repair into routine healthcare delivery across the country to improve access to treatment throughout the year.
Dr. Naphambo urged more financial institutions and private sector organisations to join the national effort to eliminate obstetric fistula and ensure that affected women are not left behind.
