Photo: BSS

RAJSHAHI, June 16, 2026 (BSS)- Experts at a discussion here today viewed that united efforts of all government and non-government organizations concerned can be the crucial means of preventing and rehabilitating obstetric and surgical fistula.

They came up with the observation while addressing an inception meeting of the ‘Preventing and Rehabilitating Obstetric and Surgical Fistula through Gender Responsive Reproductive Health Education and Strengthened Services (PROGRESS) project’.

LAMB organized the meeting at the regional office conference hall of Caritas Bangladesh giving an overview of the project along with its aims, objectives and implementation strategy.

The three-year project is being implemented in Rajshahi district with financial support from Women’s Hope International, Switzerland.  

Director General of Department of Family Planning Dr. Jinnat Rehana addressed the meeting as chief guest, while its Directors Taslim Uddin and Sabina Parveen spoke as special guests with Director Dr. Nasir Ahmed in the chair.

Divisional Director of Department of Family Planning Dr. Kasturi Amina Queen, Deputy Director Abdur Razzaque, Deputy Director of Department of Health Dr Mostofa Kamal Majumder, Assistant Director Dr Mofajjal Hossain and Assistant Director Shah Md Noor also spoke.
Director LAMB Utpal Minj, Liaison Manager Mahatab Liton and Project Manager Tabssum Jahan focused on their institutional activities.

The project is intended to increase awareness about fistula prevention, referral and treatment among health service providers and other stakeholders.
 
In her remarks, Dr. Jinnat Rehana said screening and diagnosis can be the crucial means of early recovery and proper rehabilitation of the patients suffering from obstetric fistula.
 
She also mentioned identifying the patients is very important as many of the government and non-government organisations are working in this field.
Highest emphasis should be given on reaching the messages about the cost-free treatment and rehabilitation facilities to the patients, particularly in the remote and hard-to-reach areas, so that they could be brought under the existing privileges.
 
The meeting was told that obstetric fistula is one of the most serious and tragic childbirth injuries. A hole between the birth canal and bladder and or rectum, it is caused by prolonged, obstructed labour without access to timely, high-quality medical treatment.
 
It leaves women with incontinence problems, and often leads to chronic medical problems, depression, social isolation and deepening poverty.
 
However, this problem is preventable with the correct medical assistance and its occurrence is a violation of human rights and a reminder of gross inequities.
 
So, concerted efforts of all authorities concerned have become crucial to mitigate the problem.