RAJSHAHI, Dec 12, 2022 (BSS)- Rotena Begum, 40, a resident of Dhurbila village under Charghat upazila in Rajshahi district, is now physically and mentally fit for the last couple of months after eradicating her one-year untold sufferings and pains caused by iatrogenic fistula. 

In October, 2021, she was diagnosed with a fistula as a consequence of a caesarean operation caused by a tumor in uterus at a private clinic at Gopalpur in Natore.

Rotena, wife of Abdul Quddus, did not feel any urgency to urinate and has had constant urination through vagina. 

The couple went to different hospitals and clinics repeatedly but did not get any remedy from the chronic disease frustrating them badly.

At last, Begum underwent fistula surgery at Lamb Hospital in Parbatipur of Dinajpur on July 7 last.

She availed proper treatment facility in the hospital free of cost. Now, she is cured from fistula and gained a new life through surgery that also strengthened her level of confidence.

Subsequently, she was given two goats on Saturday last aimed at making her self-reliant through income-generating activities.

Rotena Begum has returned back to her normal life from her long-lasting sufferings after getting the support on behalf of a project titled "Elimination of Genital Fistula by Capturing, Treating, Rehabilitating and Reintegrating in Bangladesh (FRRei)".

Giving a salient feature of their activities, Ruhul Amin Mridha, district coordinator of the project, said all the line departments, including health, family planning, women affairs and social development, are being sensitized to detect the fistula patients for their proper rehabilitation.

Mahatab Liton, Manager of the project, told BSS that they are giving main focus on identifying cases from the community, referral for diagnosis, timely management, motivation, counseling, follow up and comprehensive rehabilitation and reintegration to free the society from obstetric fistula by 2030.

He added that the project is being implemented in different districts, including Rajshahi, Bogra and Sirajganj, of the region with the main thrust of reducing the prevalence of fistula side by side with facilitating the patients to get normal life.

In 2022, 70 patients were rehabilitated after surgery and training on income-generating activities at the Lamb Hospital under the project being implemented supported by UNFPA Bangladesh.

On behalf of the project, nine fistula survivors get goats, while three others cattle for income generation making them pleasant.

The survivors were also given support of nutritious food and blankets.

Dr Nazmunnahar Tara, assistant professor at the department of gynecology and obstetrics of Rajshahi Medical College and Hospital said they are attending fistula patients, who are being victimized by unsafe surgical operation, and working to give them back to normal life through surgery. 

Surgical fistula is one of the most devastating pregnancy-related morbidity, mostly affecting women from marginalized socio-economic backgrounds. 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.

She, however, said iatrogenic fistula patients are getting back to their normal lives thanks to the availability of various rehabilitation services. So, utmost efforts are being given on bringing them under rehabilitation, Dr Tara said.