The remaining three were deemed inoperable.
The eight confirmed cases were out of 20 patients who were referred for urinary and faecal incontinence.
Speaking to the Ghana News Agency, Dr Gildas Mbamba Ngman-Wara, Head of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology and Clinical Coordinator at the hospital, commended the Regional Health Directorate Fistula Recruitment Team for a yeoman’s job.
“Over the last two years, the Regional Health Directorate has consistently mobilised fistula patients for treatment at the facility,” Dr Ngman-Wara said.
He indicated that funds for the surgery were obtained from the United Nations Fund for Population Activities (UNFPA) through the Family Health Division of the Ghana Health Service and thanked the Hospital management for the logistical support for the outreach programmes over the years.
He was full of praise for the hard work of the staff of the department, particularly the theatre staff, for their cooperation and support.
To commemorate International Day to end Obstetric Fistula (IDEOF), the Department hosted a virtual webinar on obstetric fistula, which highlighted the epidemiology, diagnosis, and treatment of obstetric fistula, followed by screening of suspected fistula patients on May 23, the day globally commemorated as IDEOF.
Mr Mahamuda Yakubu, Senior Perioperative Nurse in Charge of the Obstetrics and Gynaecology Theatre was happy for the capacity building opportunity the fistula outreach offered.
The Senior Midwifery Officer in charge of the Gynaecology Ward, Ms Priscilla Bayong indicated that the post operative care of fistula patients though challenging was deeply satisfying and looked forward to the smiles on the faces of these patients “when their catheters are removed after 14 days.”
Dr Gabriel Ganyaglo, Chairman of the National Fistula Task Force who was the visiting Fistula Surgeon who spoke about the challenges of supporting patients with complex fistulas and fistulas deemed inoperable said the Task Force would host a workshop for fistula surgeons with a special focus on complex and irreparable fistulas.
Complex fistulas require a multidisciplinary care team usually available only in the teaching hospital settings. he added.
GNA
