The CBC Health Services has launched a new phase of its Obstetric Fistula Care Initiative, aimed at improving the quality of life and social inclusion of women and girls living with fistula. The initiative was officially launched on August 8, 2025, at the Baptist Center Nkwen, Bamenda, for stakeholders in the Northwest Region, and on August 13, 2025, in Bafoussam for stakeholders from the West and Adamawa Regions.
In the Northwest, the launch was presided over by Talla Emmanuela, Chief of Service in charge of Partnerships at the Regional Delegation of Public Health, representing the Regional Delegate. In the West Region, the project was presented under the auspices of Dr. Tchatchoua Alain Patrick, Regional Delegate of Public Health.
Presenting an overview of the initiative at both launches, the Coordinator, Ayenjika Yasemeratu revealed that the one-year project seeks to provide surgical repairs and holistic care to women and girls with obstetric fistula. A total of 70 women are expected to benefit from subsidized treatment in this phase, which will be implemented across the Northwest, West, Adamawa, and Far North Regions. According to the Coordinator, treatment centers include Mbingo Baptist Hospital and Nkwen Baptist Hospital, with additional treatment camps at Banyo Baptist Hospital and Meskine Baptist Hospital in Maroua.
Official Pronouncements
During the launch, the representative of the Regional Delegate of Health for the Northwest stressed the urgent need for increased sensitization, identification, and referral of women with fistula, noting that the number of women treated in the previous phase was far below the number suspected to be affected.
In Bafoussam, the Regional Delegate of Public Health for the West applauded the CBC Health Services for their wide range of health interventions, including fistula care. He emphasized that obstetric fistula, once thought to be untreatable, can now be repaired, and called on participants to be diligent in identifying and referring women in need.
The Director of CBC Health Services, Mr. Ngum Samuel highlighted that over the past three years, the project has enabled the repair of 150 fistula cases, with 50 women additionally supported through livelihood programs. He expressed gratitude to the Fistula Foundation for funding this phase, encouraging stakeholders to approach the project not as a mere task but as a shared mission to restore dignity and hope to affected women.
Also speaking at the Bamenda launch, the Regional Delegate of Social Affairs, Mrs. Nkwate Rebecca, praised the CBC Health Services for giving a voice to vulnerable groups. She noted that women with fistula are among the most marginalized, having suffered injustices that led to their condition, and commended ongoing efforts to ease their plight.
Training Highlights
The launches were held alongside training sessions for community health workers on identifying and referring obstetric fistula cases.
Dr. Mbam Leonard explained that obstetric fistula is a childbirth injury caused by prolonged or obstructed labor, resulting in a hole between the birth canal and the bladder or rectum. This leads to the uncontrollable leakage of urine or feces through the vagina. He noted that the condition often results in infections, kidney damage, immobility, and social consequences such as stigma, abandonment, poverty, and divorce.
In Bafoussam, Mr. Wado Etienne, Coordinator of Sexual and Reproductive Health at the West Regional Delegation of Public Health outlined the role of community health workers. He urged them to raise awareness, identify women with symptoms, refer them for treatment, and promote early and skilled birth attendance to help prevent new cases.
Participants also received training on psychosocial support, referral protocols, effective communication, and documentation of success stories.
Project Duration The CBC Health Services Obstetric Fistula Care Initiative, funded by the Fistula Foundation, runs from July 2025 to June 2026.
