EDITORIAL
Uganda’s Ministry of Health has linked the continued prevalence of obstetric fistula to high rates of teenage pregnancy and delays in accessing emergency maternal care.
Commissioner for Maternal and Child Health, Richard Mugahi, says one in four pregnant women in Uganda is a teenager, with some as young as 12 to 14 years.
He warned that early pregnancies among girls whose bodies are not fully developed significantly increase the risk of severe childbirth complications, including fistula and death.
Obstetric fistula, caused by prolonged or obstructed labour, remains common in undeserved communities, leaving many women with long-term health and social challenges.
The Ministry attributes the trend partly to limited access to age-appropriate sexual and reproductive health information.
Mugahi also cited delays in referring mothers from lower health facilities to specialised centres as a major systemic challenge.
To address this, the government is strengthening maternal health services through the construction of facilities such as a Health Centre IV in Namayingo District, recruitment and training of health workers, and improved medical equipment.
Ongoing efforts also include surgical repair of fistula cases and support programmes to help survivors reintegrate into their communities.