RANGPUR, May 24, 2023 (BSS) – Health experts at a views-exchange meeting have highly lauded UNFPA Bangladesh for extending support in eliminating obstetric fistulas from Bangladesh by 2030 next.
 
They came up with the appreciation at the meeting arranged marking the International Day to End Obstetric Fistula-2023 at the conference room of Divisional Director (Health) in the city on Tuesday afternoon.
 
The Health Department, UNFPA funded LAMB Elimination of Genital Fistula by Capturing, Treating, Rehabilitating and Reintegrating in Bangladesh (FRRei) project and Community Health and Development Program jointly organised the event.
 
The Directorate General of Health Services, UNFPA Bangladesh and Lutheran Aid to Medicine in Bangladesh (LAMB) extended technical support in arranging the meeting participated by health experts, fistula patients and LAMB officials.
 
Rangpur Divisional Director (Health) Dr. ABM Abu Hanif attended the event as the chief guest.
 
Rangpur Civil Surgeon Dr. Md. Zahangir Kabir, Deputy Civil Surgeon Dr. Md. Ruhul Amin, Program Director of LAMB Hospital Litan Bala, Rangpur Sadar Upazila Health and Family Planning Officer Dr. Rabisankar Mondal spoke as special guests.
 
Some rehabilitated female genital fistula patients who are leading normal life after recovery from the unbearable disease with the UNFPA funded FRRei project assistance narrated their experience.
 
Program Manager of LAMB FRRei Project Mahatab Liton narrated an overview on LAMB activities in eliminating obstetric fistula from Rangpur and Rajshahi divisions.
 
About 20,000 women are currently suffering from obstetric fistula in Bangladesh where new cases are accumulating and only 500 to 600 surgeries are being done annually which is much less than required.
 
The UNFPA is extending support to LAMB and the Directorate General of Health Services of the Government of Bangladesh to eliminate obstetric fistula from the country by 2030 next.
 
“Under the FRRei project, potential fistula patients are initially identified and referred to fistula corners in upazila and district hospitals and patients with fistula are fully assisted in operation and rehabilitation,” Liton added.
 
Deputy Project Manager of the FRRei project Dr. Tahmina Khatun Soniya discussed obstetric fistula, causes behind the intolerable but preventable disease, fistula patient identification and treatment and rehabilitation process and fistula elimination activities.
 
The chief guest lauded the services being provided to fistula patients by LAMB Hospital, different medical college hospitals, district and upazila level hospitals, union level health service providing facilities in identifying and referral of fistula patients for treatments.
 
"Institutional delivery, stopping child marriage, identification of fistula patients, counseling for proper treatments, quality and safe surgeries and rehabilitation are crucial to free the country from fistula and attain the sustainable development goals by 2030 next," he said.