RANGPUR, Nov 21, 2021 (BSS) - Experts at a meeting today stressed

inclusive efforts of the government and non- government organisations
concerned in identifying obstetric fistula patients to bring them under cost-
free treatment facilities.  

     They opined this at the advocacy meeting on fistula patients
identification organised by Divisional Director (Health) Office at Begum
Rokeya auditorium of RDRS Bangladesh here today.

     LAMB Hospital at Parbatipur extended technical support in arranging the
event under the UNFPA Bangladesh funded Elimination of Genital Fistula by
Capturing, Treating, Rehabilitating and Reintegrating in Bangladesh (FRRei)
project.

     Officials and experts of the Health Department, Department of Family
Planning, Department of Social Services (DSS), Department of Women Affairs,
Department of Youth Development (DYD), Department of Education and
journalists participated.

     With Acting Divisional Director (Health) Dr Abu Md Zakirul Islam in the
chair, Divisional Director of the DSS Md Abdul Motaleb attended the event as
the chief guest.

     Additional Divisional Director of the DSS Md Mossarraf Hossain and
Deputy Director of the Department of Family Planning for Rangpur Dr Sheikh Md
Saidul Islam were present as special guests.

     Acting Project Manager of the FRRei project of LAMB Hospital Mahatab
Liton moderated the event.

     Deputy Project Manager of the FRRei project Dr Tahrima Hossain presented
a keynote paper on 'End obstetric fistula in Rangpur and Rajshahi divisions:
Achievements and challenges' giving a summary of the present fistula
situation and fistula elimination activities as a resource person.

     She discussed the causes behind the intolerable but preventable disease,
available cost-free treatment facilities and ongoing activities for
rehabilitation of obstetric fistula patients in Rangpur and Rajshahi
divisions.

    She discussed the services being provided to fistula patients by LAMB
Hospital, different medical college hospitals, district and upazila level
hospitals, union level health service providing facilities in identifying and
referral of fistula patients for treatments.

     Assistant Director of the DYD for Rangpur Md. Abdur Rouf Shah, Assistant
Director of the DSS for Nilphamari Nushrat Fatema, Senior Reporter of BSS Md
Mamun Islam participated in the open discussion.

     Dr Sheikh Md Saidul Islam put emphasis on creating social awareness to
stop child marriage, child pregnancy and ensure safe instructional deliveries
of pregnant mothers and quality and safe surgeries to eliminate obstetric
fistula.

    Mossarraf Hossain said comprehensive efforts of all government and non-
government organisations concerned are needed to identify obstetric fistula
patients for bringing them under cost-free treatment facilities and
rehabilitation programmes.

     The chief guest suggested involving the beneficiary women of the
government's massive social safety-net programmes in identifying obstetric
fistula patients to bring them under treatment and rehabilitation programmes.  

     Dr Abu Md Zakirul Islam stressed on eliminating obstetric fistula, a
devastating injury in which an abnormal opening forms between a woman's
bladder and vagina, resulting in urinary incontinence, chronic health
complexities, depression and social isolation.