Vodafone staff raise funds for fistula patients

It said the plight of women suffering from obstetric fistula was first highlighted in HealthLine, Vodafone’s flagship TV show, where five women received free surgery to treat their condition.

The statement defined obstetric fistula as a severe medical condition in which a hole develops between either the rectum and vagina or between the bladder and the vagina after prolonged childbirth, when adequate medical care is not available.

It said sufferers from this disorder were usually subjected to severe social stigma due to odour, perceptions of uncleanliness, a mistaken assumption of venereal disease and in some cases the inability to have children.

The statement said nurses at the fistula centre expressed their gratitude to Vodafone presented the cheque to them. 

The statement commended the efforts of the employees in raising the funds, adding that “we are all touched by the suffering of these women in Tamale who have had to go through traumatic childbirth which has resulted in a condition they cannot afford to correct.”

“We are very keen to take the opportunity to change the lives of some of these women and also raise awareness of the condition.”

It said the Administrator at the Centre, Mr Jeremiah Tiimob, on behalf of the hospital and patients, said: “This act of generosity by employees of Vodafone Ghana needs to be applauded. Apart from the good work that the company is doing through HealthLine and other life-changing initiatives, it is very gratifying to know that the employees are also deeply involved in improving the lives of community members.”