The fight against obstetric fistula is gaining momentum in Côte d’Ivoire and the sub-region, with a regional experience-sharing meeting held on May 22 and 23, 2025, at the Silver Moon Hotel in Cocody Angré. This strategic gathering brought together expert surgeons, representatives from the Ministries of Health and Women, NGOs, technical and financial partners, and UNFPA specialists, all united by the same ambition: to stimulate innovation in preventing, treating, and eliminating this devastating pathology.
Notable Progress, Yet Persistent Challenges
Ms. Cécile Compaoré Zoungrana, UNFPA Resident Representative in Côte d’Ivoire, highlighted the significant strides made in the country. She particularly emphasized a 37% reduction in maternal mortality between 2012 and 2021, dropping from 614 to 385 deaths per 100,000 live births. Additionally, a decline in early marriages and female genital mutilation, both aggravating factors for fistula, has been observed. Despite these encouraging advances, Ms. Zoungrana reminded attendees that fistula remains “too present” in Côte d’Ivoire and several African regions, stressing the need to strengthen maternal health programs and increase the number of specialized centers.
Prevention and Collaboration: Keys to Success
Ms. Kim Yesong, Deputy Representative of KOICA (the Korean International Cooperation Agency), emphasized a crucial paradigm shift: “moving from treatment to prevention.” She reiterated that the eradication of fistula is a collective effort that requires the collaboration of all partners.
The Minister of Women, Family and Children, Ms. Nassénéba Touré, recalled that this conference is part of a regional framework supported by ECOWAS, which urges member states to strengthen their political and financial commitments to eliminate fistula. She revealed that over $16 million has been invested since 2012 through the partnership with UNFPA and KOICA. These funds have enabled the creation of nine prevention centers, the care of over 4,400 women, and the strengthening of training programs.
However, the Minister lamented the major challenges that persist, particularly the high number of women awaiting treatment in West and Central Africa, estimated between 600,000 and one million up to 2018. The difficulties of social reintegration for operated women, often due to insufficient resources, also constitute a major concern. In Côte d’Ivoire, the prevalence of fistula is estimated at 1% among women of childbearing age, affecting approximately 74,000 women.
A Roadmap for 2030
Mr. Soro Kountélé Gona, Deputy Chief of Staff of the Minister of Health, Public Hygiene and Universal Health Coverage, praised the South-South cooperation among ten countries in the sub-region. He expressed hope that the recommendations from this meeting will serve as a roadmap to intensify the fight against this pathology, which should no longer be considered an inevitability.
This dynamic is fully aligned with the national campaign recently launched by Côte d’Ivoire, which aims to eliminate obstetric fistula by 2030. An estimated 75 billion FCFA (approximately $125 million USD) investment is planned to treat 77,000 women, strengthen prevention initiatives, and ensure their social reintegration. Côte d’Ivoire is resolutely committed to offering a future free from fistula to all its women.