Freetown, Sierra Leone – February 12, 2024: During the 47th Annual General Meeting (AGM) and Scientific Conference for the Sierra Leone Medical Doctors Association (SLMDA), UNFPA partnered with the SLMDA and the Government of Iceland to convene a symposium on obstetric fistula, themed “Breaking the Cycle: The Role of Doctors and the Association in Preventing Obstetric Fistula.” The symposium addressed this devastating condition, which affects women as a result of prolonged and obstructed labor, often leading to severe physical and social consequences.

Sierra Leone has markedly improved skilled birth attendance from 42% to 87% between 2008 and 2019, and significantly reduced the maternal mortality ratio by 74%, from 1,682 to 443 per 100,000. However, due to sub-optimal quality of care, the burden of fistula points to a gap in the health system that urgently needs to be addressed. While the exact prevalence remains uncertain, statistical modeling in 2023 estimated that between 1,500 and 2,000 women and girls could be living with fistula.

The symposium aimed to increase awareness of obstetric fistula, strengthen advocacy for improved maternal health services, and promote collaborative action among stakeholders. It featured presentations from UNFPA maternal health expert, Dr. Dan Okoro, and a panel discussion with representatives from the Ministry of Health, the Sierra Leone Association of Gynaecologists and Obstetricians (SLAGO), a Fistula Surgeon, and community health advocates. Participants engaged in discussions on actionable strategies to enhance prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation efforts for women affected by obstetric fistula.

Currently, the country has only one trained national fistula surgeon and has continued to rely on technical support from expatriates, which may not be sustainable. As the government collaborates with stakeholders towards elimination of obstetric fistula, more local expertise is critical to address the backlog and any new cases of fistula. Therefore, the professional associations (SLMDA and SLAGO) were urged to help identify doctors who are willing to be trained as fistula surgeons for support by UNFPA under the Government of Iceland funding.

Officially opening the SLMDA conference, the Vice President of the Republic of Sierra Leone, Dr. Juldeh Jalloh, also underscored the Government’s commitment to improving healthcare outcomes in Sierra Leone. He noted that maternal mortality remained a critical issue in the country, and it had become a key objective of the Government to significantly reduce the maternal mortality rate.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, the UNFPA Officer-in-Charge, Ms. Sibeso Mululuma, highlighted the urgent need for action, emphasizing that obstetric fistula was a preventable condition that reflects gaps in the healthcare system. She noted the need for enhanced collaboration to ensure timely medical interventions and comprehensive maternal health services.

The symposium concluded with a call to action, urging medical professionals and stakeholders to commit to strategies that will enhance maternal health outcomes across the nation. SLMDA and its partners are dedicated to leveraging this platform to drive systemic changes and improve the health and well-being of women and girls in Sierra Leone.

Media Contacts: Islander Kabia | Communications Unit| UNFPA Sierra Leone | ikabia@unfpa.org