Health Deputy Minister‑Designate Promises Lifesaving Fistula Services for Women in Rural Ghana

Accra, Ghana – July 26, 2025 — Deputy Minister-designate for Health, Professor Grace Ayensu-Danquah, has expressed deep concern over the devastating impact of vesicovaginal fistula (VVF) on women in Ghana, particularly those in rural communities. She made the remarks during her vetting before Parliament’s Appointments Committee on Friday, July 25, 2025.

Responding to a question from Laadi Ayii Ayamba, MP for Pusiga, Prof. Ayensu-Danquah acknowledged the significant social stigma and suffering endured by women living with fistula.

“Female vesicovaginal fistula is a significant issue and carries a great deal of stigma for women,” she said.

VVF, a condition often caused by complications during childbirth—especially prolonged labor without timely medical intervention—creates an abnormal connection between the bladder and the vagina, resulting in constant, uncontrollable leakage of urine. Women affected by this condition often experience isolation, shame, and emotional trauma.

Plans for Intervention

Prof. Ayensu-Danquah revealed that her commitment to addressing fistula is not new.

“At this very moment, I’ve already taken this step, and I’ve been bringing in doctors to perform these procedures since 2012,” she noted.

She pledged that once confirmed and appointed, she will work closely with the Minister for Health to recruit more surgeons to provide free fistula repair surgeries across the country.

“As soon as I join the ministry, I will collaborate with my minister to explore the best ways to attract more surgeons to perform free fistula repairs,” she assured.

The nominee also emphasized the need to train more local doctors in fistula repair techniques, ensuring that the country builds its capacity to handle such cases internally over time.

Commitment to Women’s Health

Prof. Ayensu-Danquah, who represents the Essikado-Ketan Constituency in the Western Region, has a long-standing background in medicine and advocacy for women’s health. Her pledge during the vetting has been welcomed by some as a positive step toward addressing one of the most neglected public health issues affecting rural women in Ghana.