News Flash
SIRAJGANJ, April 28, 2026 (BSS) - Speakers at a meeting unanimously mentioned that united efforts of all government and non-government organizations concerned can be the crucial means of freeing the district from obstetric fistula.
They also noted that early identification of patients suffering from obstetric fistula is vital for timely treatment and rehabilitation, as both government and non-government organizations are actively working in this field.
The experts came up with the remarks while addressing an advocacy meeting titled "Obstetric Patients Identification Campaign" organized by the Civil Surgeon's office at its conference hall on Monday to mark the International Day to End Obstetric Fistula 2026.
The main theme of the day is "Act Now to End Fistula by 2030," which focuses on accelerating efforts to meet the UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDG).
CIPRB and UNFPA jointly supported the meeting, which decided to conduct a 20-day campaign to identify obstetric fistula patients from May 1.
With Civil Surgeon Dr Nurul Amin in the chair, the meeting was addressed, among others, by Deputy Civil Surgeon Dr Rezaul Islam, Deputy Director of the Islamic Foundation Faruque Ahmed, Deputy Director of the Department of Social Service Habibur Rahman and Deputy Director of the Department of Women Affairs Kaniz Fatima.
Gynecologists Dr Bonany Roy, Dr Salma Akter and Dr Faria talked about the diagnosis of fistula patients on the occasion.
During her keynote presentation, UNFPA Field Officer Dr Kaniz Fatima gave an illustration about the disease along with its causes, preventive and curative measures.
She said an obstetric fistula is one of the most serious and tragic childbirth injuries. A hole between the birth canal and bladder and or rectum, it is caused by prolonged, obstructed labour without access to timely, high-quality medical treatment.
This condition causes incontinence, often leading to chronic health issues, depression, social isolation, and deepening poverty.
However, this problem is preventable with the correct medical assistance and that it’s continued occurrence is a stark reminder of persistent inequalities
So, concerted efforts of all authorities concerned have become crucial to mitigate the problem.
District Coordinator of CIPRB Saiful Islam Sharif sought the all-out cooperation of the participating doctors and specialists for the welfare of the obstetrics patients.
Under the 'End Obstetric Fistula Project' funded by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) with technical support from the Centre for Injury Prevention and Research, Bangladesh (CIPRB), field workers are now collecting information on potential fistula patients through household visits.
Suspected fistula patients are diagnosed at fistula corner at district hospital. All confirmed fistula patients are referred to the National Fistula Centre at Dhaka Medical College and Hospital for surgery.
Free medical treatment is provided there, including travel expenses. Additionally, poor patients are receiving rehabilitation support after completing treatment.
An easy way to recognize a fistula patient is that urine or stool, or both, continuously leak through the birth canal. This condition may appear after prolonged obstructed labor or following abdominal or uterine surgery.
In his remarks, Civil Surgeon Dr Nurul Amin told the meeting that the patients suffering from obstetric fistula are getting the support of treatment and rehabilitation free of cost, as many of the government and non-government organisations concerned are providing the support.
