The Founder of the Fibroid Foundation Africa (FibFA), Rev. Dr. Elizabeth Korasare, has lamented the high incidents of uterine fibroids in the country, especially among underprivileged women. 

She, therefore, called on academia, civil society groups, policymakers to brainstorm on mapping out policies towards “finding a solution to Fibroid”.  

Rev. Dr. Korasare was speaking at a workshop organized for women at Anfoega in the Volta Region, to commemorate the International Women's Day.  It was made possible from the North Dayi District Assembly and the Real Opportunities Network (RONET).

“Anywhere you go, you walk around in the streets you talk to women, and they are suffering silently, and yet there is no voice. There's no one talking on their behalf. So International Women's Day is a day, as I have already said, set aside to celebrate the hard-working women”, she said. 

She suggested the provision of free basic services including screening and diagnosis for fibroid patients at major health facilities, as a first step to combating the disease.

She asserted that accessing free screening and diagnosis would enable patients identify the disease early and begin treatment at the early stages to prevent the fibroid from developing to stage three. 

Dr. Rev. Korasare also called for the free administering of Vitamin D to infant females from age 14, to serve as a supplement "that will help reduce the burden of fibroid."

She opined that health facilities in the district should set aside a day to organize free fibroid screening for women.  

“It is important they pay attention to women health. And part of it is to provide free screening for all women from age 18 to 40 years”, she said. 

She explained that her organization seeks to provide support to women with fibroid condition by enlightening them on the disease and providing guidelines through treatment. 

The North Dayi District Chief Executive, Edmund Atta Kudjoh, believes the engagement would help erase some superstitious beliefs associated with fibroid and the ignorance among the populace. 

“We have to celebrate women, we have to honor women and use the opportunity for our people for social inclusion. I’m particularly pleased on the issue of the enlightenment on fibroid. Now, this is particular to women. And you see our women go into this trouble here and there, and some of them carry a lot of superstitions, and so today, I think the impact is great”, he said. 

He entreated the participants to become ambassadors and educate those in their communities on the effects of fibroid on their wellbeing and the need for early diagnosis and treatment. 

“Beyond that, also is this issue of TB. That's not to say that doesn't affect the other gender. But of course, you know, women are vulnerable. And so, any attempt that we have to do at any time to ensure that we protect women, we will”, he said. 

Mr. Kudjo said that the Assembly would intensify education on reproductive health, adolescent health, empower women, and provide financial support to enable them expand their businesses. 

“We are adding value to the lives of the people. I believe that many of them who came here, didn't know how to prepare liquid soap. So, for example, today, there are some job or skills at hand. It is expected that they'll go out there and then make use of it”, he added. 

The participants were enlightened on fibroid, the non-cancerous growth in the uterus, usually experienced during a woman's childbearing years, with risk factors including family history of fibroids, obesity or early onset of puberty.

Its symptoms are pains in the abdomen, lower back, or pelvis, abnormal menstruation, heavy menstruation, irregular menstruation, painful menstruation, spotting and abdominal distension or cramp. 

There was focus on tuberculosis, an infectious bacterial disease that mainly affects the lungs. It is spread by airborne droplets of the bacteria when an infected person coughs or sneezes.

It is identified as a serious diseases which could lead to death if left untreated. Tuberclosis is in 3 stages; latent, active and active disease. 

A fibroid survivor, Madam Cynthia Bidi, said the workshop had enlightened her on the condition she suffered in the past.

“I want to advise my fellow friends and my fellow sisters,’ mothers that they should take these fibroids Seriously. As participant today, I learned a lot though. I'm part of the fibroid patients, I have been suffering from fibroid for a long time, but through surgery I am now free”, she said. 

The workshop was organized in partnership with the North Dayi District Assembly, the Fibroid Foundation Africa Real Opportunities Network (FibFA) and the Real Opportunities Network (RONET) to educate women on fibroid and tuberculosis.