RANGPUR, Sept 17, 2022 (BSS) - Thirty-two obstetric fistula patients of Gaibandha district have been leading normal life for last three years after undergoing cost-free surgery at LAMB Hospital in Parbatipur upazila of Dinajpur.
 
The information was disclosed at an advocacy meeting on 'Fistula patients identification' organized by the Civil Surgeon's Office at Balashi conference room of SKS Inn Resort in Gaibandha district yesterday, a press release said today.
 
The UNFPA Bangladesh and LAMB Elimination of Genital Fistula by Capturing, Treating, Rehabilitating and Reintegrating in Bangladesh (FRRei) Project extended technical support in arranging the event for NGO executives.
 
Presided over by Gaibandha Civil Surgeon Dr. AM Akhteruzzaman, 30 persons, including 20 executives of different NGOs, representatives of WHO, Save the Children and other organizations participated in the event.
 
Rangpur Divisional Deputy Director (Health) Dr. Md. Habibur Rahman attended the function as the chief guest while Deputy Director of the Department of Family Planning for Gaibandha Dr. Md. Saiful Islam was present as a special guest.
 
National Professional Officer and Rangpur Divisional Coordinator of WHO Dr. Jobayer Al Mamun, Technical Specialist of Save the Children Md. Habibur Rahman and District Officer of Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights Services for Gaibandha Dr. Armina Khatun spoke.
 
Program Manager of LAMB FRRei Project Mahatab Liton discussed activities of LAMB Hospital and identification, treatment, surgery, rehabilitation and reintegration of fistula patients.
 
"Sixty-five patients have been referred to LAMB Hospital from Gaibandha since 2019 and of them, 55 were diagnosed as fistula patients and 32 of them are leading normal life after undergoing cost-free surgeries," he said.
 
Deputy Project Manager Dr. Tahmina Khatun Sonia discussed 'Obstetric fistula, fistula patient identification, treatment and rehabilitation' giving a summary of fistula situation and fistula elimination activities in Rangpur and Rajshahi divisions.
 
"Obstetric fistula is a devastating but preventable disease 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," she said.
 
She discussed 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.
 
The chief guest stressed GO-NGO efforts involving public representatives, religious and community leaders and beneficiaries of different NGOs in identifying obstetric fistula patients to bring them under cost-free treatment facilities.
 
"LAMB Hospital with the government is implementing programs like case identification, referral for diagnosis, timely management, motivation, counseling, follow up, rehabilitation and reintegration to free the society from obstetric fistula by 2030," he said.