The Ministry of Health and Child Care has intensified efforts to combat obstetric fistula by rolling out awareness training for community-based health workers in Masvingo, Midlands, Matabeleland North and Matabeleland South provinces from 19 to 26 June 2026, to improve the identification and referral of women living with the condition.
In a statement yesterday, the Ministry said the programme is designed to empower Village Health Workers (VHWs) to play a frontline role in detecting cases and ensuring affected women access treatment services.
“The Ministry of Health and Child Care has rolled out Obstetric Fistula awareness training for community-based health workers in Masvingo, Midlands, Matabeleland North and South Provinces,” said the Ministry.
The Ministry added that the training will strengthen the capacity of VHWs to identify women suffering from the debilitating childbirth injury and connect them with available treatment facilities.
“This training will capacitate Village Health Workers (VHWs) to screen for obstetric fistula, identify women living with the condition and link them to free repair camps while upholding confidentiality and shunning stigma,” the Ministry said.
The Ministry described obstetric fistula as a largely preventable condition that continues to affect vulnerable women, especially those with limited access to quality maternal healthcare services.
“Though 99 percent preventable, obstetric fistula is an abnormal opening between the birth canal and the bladder and/or rectum caused by prolonged, obstructed labour without timely medical care, resulting in continuous leakage of urine and/or stool through the vagina,” the Ministry said.
According to the Ministry, the condition remains a significant public health challenge despite advances in maternal healthcare.
“It remains a public health problem that mostly affects women in hard-to-reach, poor and marginalized communities.
Confidentiality and dignity will be central to the screening and referral process, with trained VHWs expected to provide support while encouraging communities to reject stigma associated with obstetric fistula,” the Ministry added.
The awareness programme forms part of efforts by Government to improve maternal health outcomes through increased access to skilled birth attendance, emergency obstetric care and community health education.
