An obstetric fistula identification campaign  was held at the Family Planning Officer's Office at sirajganj. Photo: BSS

SIRAJGANJ, March 2, 2026 (BSS)- An obstetric fistula identification campaign 
was held at the Family Planning Officer's Office in Ullapara upazila of the 
district today with the aim of identifying patients suffering from obstetric 
fistula.
 
To eliminate obstetric fistula, the campaign has begun activities in Ullapara 
and Tarash upazilas under Sirajganj District.

Field-level search activities will start from tomorrow (Tuesday) across 14 
unions and continue for 15 days.
 
Speakers at the event stated that one of the main causes of obstetric fistula 
is child marriage and home delivery. They emphasized that ensuring 
institutional deliveries can help eradicate fistula cases.
 
As part of the campaign, identification of fistula patients is ongoing 
through door-to-door visits and courtyard meetings in local neighborhoods.
 
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 will collect 
information on potential fistula patients through household visits.
 
Suspected fistula patients will be diagnosed at fistula corner at district 
hospital. All confirmed fistula patients will be referred to the National 
Fistula Centre at Dhaka Medical College and Hospital for surgery.
 
Free medical treatment will be provided there, including travel expenses. 
Additionally, poor patients will receive 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.

The campaign was inaugurated by Deputy Director Raihanul Islam of the Family 
Planning Department. Among those present were Upazila Family Planning Officer 
Dr. Nazira Khatun, Assistant Family Planning Officer Samira Jahan and CIPRB 
District Coordinator Saiful Islam.

Around 70 participants including Sub Assistant Medical Officers, Family 
Welfare Visitors, Family Planning Inspectors, Family Welfare Assistants and 
Health Assistants also present.