The Smell of Poverty

 By Shirley Asiedu-Addo

A total of 100 women with fistula are waiting for their surgeries hopefully if financial help comes soon.

The Our Lady of Grace hospital at Mankessim  in the Central region of Ghana does the surgeries for the women for free if funds are available. Currently the hospital does not have funds available making the 100 women's surgeries be put on hold.

What is fistula

Obstetric fistula is a medical condition in which a hole develops between the rectum and the vagina, the ureter and the vagina or the bladder and the vagina after difficulty in childbirth.

It can result in incontinence of urine or faeces.

The condition occurs mostly in women in low-income countries who give birth without access to medical help. 

Loneliness

Itusually makes sufferers develop strong pungent smell them isolate themselves or be shunned. The cost of caring for the patients had been sponsored by the Catholic Church and individuals. Many who suffer the condition are from poor background who cannot afford the surgeries. Appeal Queen of the Mankessim, Nana Ama Amissah has made an appeal to all who can to support the hospital to undertake the corrective surgeries. A surgery cost about 2,500 cedis which is about 600 dollars.