The Gender Development Centre (CCDG) of the Economic Community of West African States has partnered with the International Society of Obstetric Fistula Surgeons (ISOFS) for the 10th World Congress on Obstetric Fistula, scheduled for Dakar between December 14 and 19.  

The objective of the congress is to contribute significantly to the “global goal of eliminating obstetric fistula by 2030,” a statement said Thursday.

Obstetric Fistula is a medical condition where prolonged or obstructed labour causes an abnormal hole between the birth canal and urinary tract.

ECOWAS, through the CCDG, has catered to girls and women suffering from the condition since 2010. But the new partnership with ISOFS is projected to accelerate medical progress for West African patients.

The CCDG on Tuesday hosted ISOFS president, Serigne Magueye Gueye, who also serves as the chair of the congress committee.

To combat the condition, Mr Gueye recommended adopting the ‘SPECTRE’ strategy, an acronym that stands for prevention, education, community engagement, treatment, reintegration, and elimination.

He asked ECOWAS to establish the “scientific and institutional organisation of the event to ensure visibility of regional achievements.”

CCDG Director Sandra Oulaté Fattoh reaffirmed the bloc’s commitment to combating the disease. 

She reiterated  “CCDG’s readiness to support advocacy, training, research, and mobilisation initiatives linked to the Dakar Congress.”

Both CCDG and ISOFS agreed to formalise their partnership and co-develop the scientific program while stressing the need for “capacity building, operational research, evidence generation, and high‑level political mobilisation.”