RANGPUR, July 28, 2023 (BSS) - The authorities concerned have taken comprehensive action plans to free Gaibandha district from obstetric fistula by December next as a part of the government's target of ending obstetric fistula in the country by 2030.
 
The programs were taken in a joint 'Planning Meeting on End Obstetric Fistula in Gaibandha District' organised by the Civil Surgeon's Office at its conference room in Gaibandha town on Thursday, a press release said.
 
The Director General of Health Services, Directorate General of Family Planning, UNFPA Bangladesh and LAMB Elimination of Genital Fistula by Capturing, Treating, Rehabilitating and Reintegrating in Bangladesh (FRRei) project extended technical support in arranging the event.
 
Rangpur Divisional Director (Health) Dr ABM Abu Hanif and Divisional Director of Family Planning Dewan Morshed Kamal attended the meeting as Honourable guests with Gaibandha Civil Surgeon Dr. Md. Abdullahel Mafi in the chair.
 
Deputy Director of family Planning for Gaibandha Prosanjeet Pronoy Misra, Superintendent of Gaibandha General Hospital Dr Md Mahbub Hossain, Technical Officer of UNFPA Bangladesh Dr Animesh Biswas and its Field Officer Dr Shaheen Akhter addressed.
 
Project Manager of LAMB FRRei Project Mahatab Liton delivered a welcome speech while its Deputy Project Manager Dr. Tahmina Khatun Sonia presented an overview on obstetric fistula situation in Gaibandha.
 
Dr ABM Abu Hanif forwarded specific suggestions on how to eradicate obstetric fistula from Gaibandha district.
 
"A stakeholder meeting should be arranged first with participation of health workers of government departments and NGOs working in the district, upazila and union levels to involve them in the fistula elimination process," he said.
 
He suggested preparing Gaibandha General Hospital for conducting surgeries by skilled surgeons to repair obstetric fistula locally.
 
Dewan Morshed Kamal said extensive household surveys should be conducted in char areas involving locally working health and family planning workers of the Health and Family Planning Departments to diagnose obstetric fistula cases.
 
"It is better to arrange obstetric fistula surgeries for local patients at Gaibandha to ease their sufferings and ensure better health care," he said, putting maximum importance on working collectively to declare Gaibandha fistula free by December next.
 
Prosanjeet Pronoy Misra said the Department of Family Planning will provide full cooperation to free Gaibandha district from the extremely painful but curable obstetric fistula disease.
 
Dr Shaheen Akhter said works will start soon as per decisions taken in the planning meeting as Action Points.
 
Dr Animesh Biswas hoped that sincere cooperation and inclusive works of all concerned as per the Action Plans would definitely help to free Gaibandha from obstetric fistula by December next.