Mfantseman MP and UNFPA Launch Support Programme to Cover Fistula Surgery Costs for Mothers

Member of Parliament for Mfantseman Constituency, Dr. Ebenezer Prince Arhin has partnered with the United Nations Population Fund to remove financial barriers for women battling obstetric fistula, pledging support for free surgeries and recovery aid.

Dr. Arhin said the cost of surgery and recovery often prevents mothers from accessing treatment for the condition, which results from prolonged, obstructed labor and leaves women with severe physical complications and social isolation. His initiative seeks to ensure no patient is denied medical care because of cost.

The programme is being rolled out in collaboration with medical professionals and the UNFPA. It will cover specialized surgical procedures and provide protection and comprehensive support throughout recovery. During a visit to the labour ward at Mercy Women’s Hospital in Mankessim, Dr. Arhin donated hampers to new mothers and encouraged them to seek care, assuring patients he would remain available to support them.

UNFPA representative Dr. Emilia Naphambo also engaged patients and families at Mercy Catholic Hospital, one of the key facilities treating fistula in West Africa. She confirmed the UNFPA will provide free surgical treatment for affected women, along with financial assistance to ease the economic burden of prolonged care. Dr. Naphambo said the agency’s goal is not only to treat cases but to work toward eradicating obstetric fistula and preventing maternal disabilities.

Dr. B. Joseph Langah Berko, who is in charge of the Roman Catholic hospital in Mankessim, thanked Dr. Arhin and the UNFPA for visiting the fistula centre and pledging free surgical support. He noted that stigma makes it difficult to get patients to seek hospital treatment, as many affected women avoid coming forward.

Some patients at the facility expressed gratitude to Dr. Arhin for the donations of hampers to support their newborns, describing the MP’s visit as timely and encouraging.

Obstetric fistula remains a major reproductive health challenge in parts of Ghana, with treatment gaps often linked to cost, stigma, and limited access to specialized care.