By Dr Aynal Haque

   RAJSHAHI, Oct 2, 2021 (BSS) - Many obstetric fistula patients have been
getting their normal life back thanks to different rehabilitation works
including surgical repairing in the region for the last couple of years as
various organizations have been implementing need-based programmes in this
regard.

   Diversified rehabilitation works are being executed on behalf of a project
titled "Elimination of Genital Fistula by Capturing, Treating, Rehabilitating
and Reintegrating in Bangladesh (FRRei)" to mitigate the health related
problem.

  Project Manager Mahatab Liton told BSS that the project is being
implemented in different districts, including Rajshahi, Bogura and Sirajganj,
of the region with the main thrust of reducing the prevalence of fistula.

   "We 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.

   The people living in char and hard-to-reach areas and ethnic communities
are identified as the most vulnerable to the disease.

   So, utmost efforts are being given on bringing them under rehabilitation
activities, Liton said.

   Around 1,500 patients were rehabilitated after surgical repairing and
income-generating training and activities in the Lamb Hospital under the
project being implemented with financial support of UNFPA Bangladesh.

   "We are attending fistula patients, who are being victimized by unsafe
cesarean operation, and working to give them back to normal life through
surgical repairing at present," said Dr Nazmunnahar Tara, Assistant Professor
in the Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics of Rajshahi Medical College
and Hospital.

   She said ensuring safe surgery has become an urgent need to eradicate
surgical fistula as it's one of the most serious and tragic childbirth
injuries which leave women into chronic medical problems, depression, social
isolation and deepen poverty.

   Dr Tara also clarified obstetric fistula is one of the most devastating
pregnancy- related morbidity, mostly affecting women from marginalized socio-
economic backgrounds, particularly the people who are often touted as 'left
behind.'

  Aleya Begum, 60, a resident of Ratankandi village under Shahjadpur Upazila
in Sirajganj district, is now physically and mentally energized and strong at
this old age. Social status has been established after eliminating her 25-
year pains caused by obstetric fistula.

   In 1996, she was diagnosed with a fistula during a cesarean delivery at a
local hospital while giving birth to her eighth child.

   Begum, wife of Muhammad Fatique, did not feel any pressure to urinate and
has 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, Aleya underwent fistula surgery at Lamb Hospital on February 28,
2021. She availed proper treatment facility in the hospital free of cost. Now
she is cured from fistula and gained a new life through the surgical repair.

   Ishrat Jahan (38), a resident of Gulta village in Tarash Upazila of the
same district, had been suffering a lot due to constantly urination since
removal of her uterine tumor at a clinic in Sherpur of Bogura in early 2020.

   She again sought medical attention but the clinic authority didn't pay
heed to her request.

   Jahan also got relief from her pain after availing a fistula operation in
the Lamb hospital on December 2, 2020.

   Giving a salient feature of their activities, Sabastian Tudu, 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.