The government has been called upon to include full treatment of fibroid under the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS). The call was made by Funny S. Palmer, a fibroid survival.
According to her, fibroid treatment is covered partially by the NHIS, leaving the rest of the cost to be borne by the patients.
Meanwhile, research has shown that black women are more likely to develop fibroid than other races.
Madam Palmerm, in an interview with the media at the celebration of fibroid awareness month held in Accra last week, said full treatment of fibroid would encourage more women to go for treatment and save their lives.
She noted the since both young and elderly black women are exposed to developing fibroid, there was the need for research to reduce the impact and save lives.
Kisha Bird of Travel Diva Inc, another victim, also said the campaign was motivated by her own personal experience with fibroid.
She developed fibroid in her uterus for 15 years without her knowing, until she visited Ghana from the United States of America and was diagnosed. For these 15 years, she had to battle with anemia, fatigue and painful menstrual cycle among others.
“I also realised that the healing that can take place takes place with stories. It takes place getting information and awareness. So I teamed up with my dear sister (Funny) and we began the fibroid awareness campaign…so that we know women in Ghana, women across the world, black women can be healed through awareness and early detection and telling our own stories,” Ms. Bird stated.
Child birth after fibroid surgery
Dr. Caroline Ladzekpo, a gynaecologist at Plus Medical Centre, demystified the perception that fibroid surgery reduces fertility rate.
According to her, there is a high chance of giving birth after fibroid treatment, therefore, encouraged women to see their gynaecologist at least once a year and go for treatment when necessary.
She added that most women report to the hospital too late because of fear and also because they don’t know the symptoms, which are pain in the abdomen, lower back, or pelvis.
The other symptoms are abnormal menstruation, heavy menstruation, irregular menstruation and painful menstruation.
