Ivorian authorities have reaffirmed their commitment to eliminate obstetric fistula by 2030—an ambitious goal requiring 75 billion CFA francs to support 77,000 women, which amounts to approximately 900,000 CFA francs per patient. This announcement was made during a press breakfast held on Tuesday, May 13, 2025, in Plateau, marking the launch of the regional campaign against this condition in Côte d’Ivoire.
Dr. Honorée Kouamé, representing Minister Nassénéba Touré, emphasized that President Alassane Ouattara has made the fight against fistula a national priority. Thanks to a strong partnership with UNFPA and KOICA, over 4,400 women have already received treatment, and more than 2,200 have been reintegrated into economic and social life. “This is major progress, but we must go further,” she stressed, announcing the second edition of the South-South Conference, to be held from May 12 to 24, 2025, which will bring together surgeons from 13 countries in the sub-region. This operation aims to treat at least 144 women, train 23 surgeons, and strengthen African solidarity to eradicate the disease by 2030.
The campaign goes beyond surgical interventions. It also aims to mobilize national resources, technical and financial partners, local governments, and the private sector around the goal of “leaving no woman behind.” Dr. Kouamé called on the media to play an active role: “Through your pens, your cameras, and your microphones, the voices of survivors will be heard and collective action will become possible.”
For her part, Ms. Cécile Compaoré Zoungrana, UNFPA Resident Representative in Côte d’Ivoire, highlighted the crucial role of the media in this fight. “Through your reports and testimonies, you can break the wall of silence, raise public awareness, urge decision-makers, and restore hope to women,” she said.
Cissé Sindou, Chairman of the Board of MS-Media, also reaffirmed the media’s commitment to fully playing its part.
Obstetric fistula remains a major public health and social tragedy in Côte d’Ivoire, with a prevalence estimated at 1% among women of reproductive age—nearly 74,000 women affected. Since 2012, over 16 million dollars have been invested in combating this debilitating condition, helping to strengthen the healthcare system and treat thousands of women. However, continued care requires increased funding, hence the current resource mobilization campaign.
This initiative is part of regional and international commitments to eliminate obstetric fistula in West Africa by 2030, by strengthening prevention, treatment, social reintegration, and community awareness.
Source : Ministry of Women, Family and Children of Ivory Coast