Burkina Faso/Obstetric fistula: UNFPA equips the Rama Foundation to restore dignity to survivors

"Achieving a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every birth is safe and every young person's potential is fulfilled" is the vision of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). With this in mind, the Fund supported the Rama Foundation with 14 million CFA francs for equipment and 19 million CFA francs for building construction on June 27, 2025. This equipment is essential for the foundation to improve care for obstetric fistula survivors.

"I have five children, but it was during the birth of my fourth that my life was turned upside down. I suffered for months, undergoing one ineffective treatment after another. It was while listening to the radio that I heard about the Rama Foundation. I found treatment there, and today I'm cured. My husband and I are getting along again," testifies Bernadette Guigma, 32. On Friday June 27, 2025, in front of distinguished guests, she shared her experience of obstetric fistula, a painful and stigmatizing condition that destroys the lives of thousands of women in Burkina Faso.

To alleviate this affliction, UNFPA has donated medical and technical equipment to the Rama Foundation, for a total amount of 34 million CFA francs: 14 million for equipment and 19 million for renovation work. "This donation is symbolic but essential. It sends out a strong message to launch the campaign to mobilize resources to eradicate obstetric fistula in Burkina Faso", insisted Alain Akpadji, UNFPA Resident Representative in Burkina Faso. The equipment provided includes medical beds, furniture, care and sterilization equipment, dignity kits and more. "This support will enable the women in our care to resume a normal life, regain their dignity and look forward to a serene future," he emphasized. UNFPA is also supporting the Rama Foundation in setting up a comprehensive ecosystem: income-generating activities for healed women, schooling for children, accommodation and psychological support.

Obstetric fistula generally occurs following difficult or prolonged childbirth, in the absence of adequate obstetric care. "Fistula is a social injustice that violates the dignity of women and girls, prevents them from enjoying their right to health, and condemns them to years of poverty. and condemns them to years of silent suffering", said Alain Akpadji, UNFPA Resident Representative in Burkina Faso. In his speech, he also stressed the need to tackle the structural causes. "Beyond obstetric complications, fistula is favored by child marriage, forced marriage, lack of access to family planning and insufficient education for girls. This is why we must act upstream to prevent this tragedy", warns the UNFPA resident representative. He recalled that the global coalition for the eradication of fistula, with its national relays, is working to mobilize resources and raise awareness among the population.

Government and partners committed to fistula eradication

To mark the State's support, the Minister of Health, represented by his Director of Cabinet, Dr Adjima Combary, was present at the handover. "It's well known that obstetric fistula is a disease associated with childbirth under less-than-optimal conditions. It's also known to be a major public health problem, and a social injustice. That's why the Minister of Health has sent us here to show our solidarity with this campaign to mobilize financial resources for this public health problem. And also to show our solidarity with the Rama Foundation. We have seen how hard the founder and her entire staff work to ensure that women who suffer from obstetric fistula are restored to their dignity. We can also see how hard she is fighting. With the support of UNFPA, the Belgian Embassy, and all the other partners who are fighting to make this disease known and eradicated", said the representative of the Minister of Health.

He recalled that obstetric fistula is a major public health problem. "We would like to salute the work of the Rama Foundation, which enables victims to have their dignity restored. We see here a truly integrated package with medical care, socio-economic reintegration and psychological support. The government, with its partners, will continue its commitment to eradicating fistula," he assures us.

The Head of Cooperation at the Belgian Embassy, Marie-Goretti Nyirarukundo, recalled the sacred nature of women for society. "A woman cannot give birth if she is not in good health. And life in Burkina Faso cannot go on without women. That's why Belgium has joined forces with the United Nations to launch a fund-raising campaign. Why a fund-raising campaign? Because we're living in a time of dwindling cooperation resources. But this is one of the countries which, despite the difficult situations, continues to maintain a good level of resource allocation in health, basic social services, education and health. So we need to convince every Burkinabè to put their hand in their pocket to contribute to this cause", she said, while congratulating Dame Kabré on her work on behalf of women.

Satisfaction for the foundation, but advocacy continues

At the ceremony, Rama Kabré, initiator of the Rama Foundation, expressed her gratitude to donors and all partners. She led her guests on a tour of the premises, thanking them for their kind consideration. But she did not fail to make a strong plea to the Ministry of Health and all people of good will.

"This equipment will give visibility to our center and improve attendance. But we still face many challenges. Our borehole, although rehabilitated, has not been satisfactory. We're short of water, and have to buy expensive water every day, which is unsustainable. Yet fistula requires impeccable hygiene."

She also asked for support to strengthen the staff. "Our agents are volunteers, but as soon as they find something better, they leave. We need stable, paid staff to guarantee the quality of care," says Rama Kabré, who would also like to have a social action agent working at the foundation to provide psychological care for survivors.

The United Nations Population Fund is actively combating obstetric fistula, which mainly affects women in developing countries. UNFPA is working in Burkina Faso to strengthen partnerships and access to care. In 2023, the Burkinabe government, supported by UNFPA and the Belgian embassy, drew up an investment plan to eliminate obstetric fistula by 2030.

Source: lefaso.net/