BY ELIZABETH MENGISTU
It was 7 years ago in 2015 that the United Nations set universal development goals, ‘the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the 2030 Agenda,’ with the aim to end poverty and inequality, protect the planet, and ensure that all people enjoy health, justice and prosperity and to transform our world, without leaving anyone behind.
As part of this commitment, hence, during the past few years, countries have been implementing various activities to achieve the set development goals. As a result, though there is a long way to go and several activities remain undone, over the years important achievements are registered.
Most importantly, in areas related to decreasing maternal and child mortality, accessing free primary education and healthcare services for all, narrowing the level of poverty among others have seen significant improvements. Singing the same tune, Ethiopia has also been committedly striving to keep itself on the track and achieve the goals at the stated period of time; even before of course.
According to a report launched by the Ministry of Health, Ethiopia has registered an encouraging result in reducing the rate of maternal death over the last decades. As to the report, the maternal mortality rate has dropped by 70 percent in recent decades. Hamlin Fistula Ethiopia has made a significant contribution to reducing maternal deaths by increasing access to quality maternal healthcare, especially in under-serviced rural areas. Currently, the country is working persistently to significantly reduce maternal deaths.
As the Ministry recently announced, efforts are exerted to eliminate fistula and reduce maternal mortality that comes to happen due to prolonged labor and related causes including Obstetric Fistula.
Studies show that several mothers face short and long term health related complications and due to problems associated with pregnancy and childbirth. And for every causes of maternal death, mothers estimated to be from 20-30 face serious health challenges. Among these encounters, fistula that comes to happen during childbirth is the one, the Ministry reported.
Mentioning the report presented by the World Health Organization during the International Day to End Obstetric Fistula that was marked to create a movement at the international level, the Ministry stated that more than 2 million women residing in Asia and Sub-Saharan African countries live with obstetric fistula, which causes them not only physical pain, but also psychological and economic problems.
Speaking at the event organized to mark the International Day to End Obstetric Fistula, Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health Lead Executive Officer with the Ministry of Health Meseret Zelalem (MD) said that, Ethiopia, in the past decade, has greatly reduced the rate of maternal mortality, and significant improvements are witnessed. For this to happen, the activities carried out to improve maternal health services; increasing access to emergency delivery services among others can be mentioned.
According to Meseret, one of the problems and causes of maternal death is fistula. The prevalence of fistula is decreasing significantly from 1 and 0.4 percent she said referring to the population health survey conducted in 2005 and 2016 respectively. However, for the reason that fistula detection and referral systems are not well strengthened, there are still many fistula victims, she added.
Stating that a system is being devised to identify and treat new fistulas cases in our country, she extended her heartfelt gratitude to the Hamlin Fistula Ethiopia for the activities it is doing to prevent and treat fistulas. She also called on all stakeholders working on maternal health, partner organizations, and government institutions to do their level best to prevent fistulas.
Hamlin Fistula Ethiopia General Director Tesfaye Mamo on his part said that since the establishments of the center in 1975, more than fifty thousand mothers who have experienced fistula problems have been receiving physical, social, economic and psychological treatments. The Hospital, by engaging victims in areas of their own interest, is striving to help victims recover from their illness and rejoin with the society.
The time we eliminate fistula from our country will not be far away. Projects that are designed with this purpose to make zero tolerance for obstetric fistula, people are conducting provisional implementation by holding door-to-door visits to fistula patients in districts, with high fistula pressure,” said the General Manager.
The Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the Ethiopian Public Health Institute and the Hamlin Fistula Ethiopia, celebrated the International Day to End Obstetric Fistula at the Hamlin Fistula Ethiopia Hospital in the presence of relevant stakeholders. “20 years on – progress but not enough! Act now to end fistula by 2030!” says a report posted at the website of the United Nations (UN) in relation to the International Day to End Obstetric Fistula observed on May 23.
As to the statement, health systems and communities are falling short in ending obstetric fistula. Gender discrimination and social marginalization create additional risks, resulting in fistula disproportionately occurring among impoverished, underserved and marginalized women and girls.
Three cost-effective solutions can prevent fistula: timely access to high-quality emergency obstetric and newborn care, trained professionals with midwifery skills at childbirth, and universal access to modern contraception. Health systems can reduce fistula by tracking prevalence, correcting gaps in care and ensuring universal access to a competent health workforce. National health plans must also address gender discrimination and other factors making women and girls more vulnerable to maternal mortality and disease.
“Bold political leadership and investment could eradicate fistula. Ambitious partnerships and scaled-up investments are imperative to ending fistula by 2030 – our global target under the Sustainable Development Goals,” the statement remarked.
The International Day to End Obstetric Fistula is marked annually on 23 May. It is a day observed to draw attention to the devastating injury caused during an obstructed labor; an injury which continues to impact the lives of tens of thousands of women. Ethiopia also marks the day every year with this same intention.
The Ethiopian Herald May 25/2023
