Health experts attribute community awareness to control obstetric fistula

Health experts have stressed huge community awareness to free the society from the curse of obstetric fistula. They also urged all government and non-government organizations concerned to come forward and work together to combat the obstetric fistula and to treat and rehabilitate its patients for their overall welfare.

The observation came at an upazila-based networking meeting at Tanore Upazila Health Complex in the district on Sunday. The meeting discussed and devised ways and means on how to attain the desired yield in the field of eradicating obstetric fistula.

LAMB Hospital hosted the meeting with assistance from the Department of Health Services and financial support from the UNFPA Bangladesh. Medical Officer (Gynecology and Obstetrics) Dr Anjuman Ara gave an illustration on the existing causes of obstetric fistula along with its treatment and rehabilitation.

She said obstructed and prolonged labors are the prime causes for developing obstetric fistula. Identification of obstetric fistula cases coupled with quality surgery and safe surgery is extremely needed as rehabilitation and reintegration of patients should be strengthened further, she opined.

Dr Anjuman Ara clarified obstetric fistula is one of the most devastating pregnancy-related morbidities in Bangladesh, mostly affecting women from marginalized socio-economic backgrounds, particularly the people who are often referred to as ‘left behind.’ Resident Medical Officer Dr Israt Jerin and LAMB Hospital Representative Ruhul Amin also addressed the meeting with Junior Consultant (Orthopedics) Dr Abdul Hakim in the chair.

Ruhul Amin presented a concept paper titled “End Obstetric Fistula in Rangpur and Rajshahi Division: Achievements and Challenges”.