Emphasis on identifying obstetric fistula patients to create a fistula-free Bangladesh

 Emphasis on identifying obstetric fistula patients to create a fistula-free Bangladesh

Gaibandha, Dec 17, 2025: Emphasis has been laid on the need for early identification of obstetric fistula patients with the aim of making Bangladesh fistula-free by 2030. Speakers today laid special emphasis on the identification of fistula patients at an advocacy meeting on fistula patient identification organized at the conference room of the District Civil Surgeon. 

Speakers at the meeting said, "Obstetric fistula is one of the most serious and tragic birth injuries. It is a hole between the birth canal and the bladder or rectum. It is chronic. The disease begins due to obstructed labor. The disease becomes complicated due to lack of timely and high-quality treatment." 

It was informed in the meeting that Lamb (Khagoi) Hospital located in Parbatipur Upazila of Dinajpur district conducts investigation and referral of obstetric fistula patients. After fistula is detected, patients are referred to various hospitals including government hospitals. This program was organized under the 'Elimination of Genital Fistula by Capturing Treatment, Rehabilitation and Reintegrating in Bangladesh' project funded by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Bangladesh. 

Civil Surgeon Dr. Rafiquzzaman presided over the program, while Gaibandha General Hospital Superintendent Dr. Md. Shahidullah and Family Planning Department Deputy Director Md. Tariqul Islam spoke as resource persons. UNFPA Bangladesh Field Officer Dr. Md. Shaheen Akhter moderated the program. 

Dr. Md. Shaheen Akhter said, '174 fistula patients have been identified in Gaibandha district through diagnosis. All of them have recovered from the disease through surgery.' 

He said, "Several poor patients have also been brought under the project's rehabilitation program so that they can benefit economically by engaging in income-generating activities and manage their families without hardship."

The speakers emphasized on ensuring institutional delivery instead of home delivery to avoid obstetric fistula disease. Since obstetric fistula patients recover completely from the disease through repair, emphasis should be placed on identifying such patients from the district and bringing them under the medical facilities provided by the Upazila Health Complex, Medical College Hospital and Lamb Hospital to make the district fistula-free within the shortest possible time. 

Among others, Gobindaganj Upazila Health and Family Planning Officer Dr. Masuder Rahman, Upazila Family Planning Officer Abdul Jalil, Gynaecologist Dr. Tahera Akhter Moni, Journalist Sarkar Shahiduzzaman and District Facilitator of Lamb Hospital Shariful Islam Sharif spoke at the event. 

Upazila Health and Family Planning Officer, Upazila Family Planning Officer, Gynecologist Consultant, Medical Officer, Health and Family Planning Workers were present at the event.