Photo: BSS

GAIBANDHA, May 21, 2026 (BSS) - A grassroots-level campaign was conducted in Saghata and Sadullapur upazilas of the district from May 7 to May 21 to identify obstetric fistula patients or suspects.

Field-level staff of the health and family planning departments jointly carried out the campaign with support from UNFPA and CIPRB (Centre for Injury Prevention and Research, Bangladesh).

Civil Surgeon Dr. Rafiquzzaman said the government has taken an initiative to build a fistula-free Bangladesh by 2030, and the campaign was part of that effort.

He said field-level staff were assigned to conduct the programme successfully in the two upazilas.

Replying to a query, the civil surgeon said one suspected patient was identified in Saghata upazila during the campaign. The patient will undergo proper diagnosis to confirm the disease and, if confirmed, will be referred to Dhaka Medical College Hospital or Shaheed Ziaur Rahman Medical College Hospital in Bogura for treatment.

Earlier, Gobindaganj upazila was formally declared free from obstetric fistula through coordinated efforts of all stakeholders, he added.

The civil surgeon said obstetric fistula is a chronic but curable disease through surgery, and successful treatment enables patients to lead a normal life.

District Coordinator of CIPRB Abu Bakar Siddik thanked health and family planning staff for successfully conducting the campaign and called upon journalists and other stakeholders to help bring fistula patients under treatment.

UNFPA Field Officer Dr. Shaheen Akhter said efforts are underway to declare Saghata and Sadullapur upazilas free from obstetric fistula this year, like Gobindaganj.