RANGPUR, Oct 25, 2022 (BSS) – Experts have urged the authorities of private sector hospitals and clinics to refer on time the surgical iatrogenic fistula patients to appropriate health service providing facilities for proper treatment and rehabilitation.
 
They made the call in a sharing meeting on End Obstetric Fistula'  organized by the Director Health’s Office of Rangpur division here on Monday.
 
Lutheran Aid to Medicine in Bangladesh (LAMB) and Stop Suffering caused by Female Genital Fistula (SS-FGF) project of Women’s Hope International extended support in arranging the event.
 
Rangpur Divisional Director Health (In-charge) Dr. Md. Habibur Rahman chaired the event, participated by owners, managers and physicians of private sector hospitals, clinics and diagnostic centres.
 
Director of Community Health Development Program (CHDP) of LAMB Bapon Mankin delivered a welcome speech narrating objectives of the event.
 
Project Manager of LAMB SS-FGF project Silas Buskey and Project Manager of LAMB Elimination of Genital Fistula by Capturing, Treating, Rehabilitating and Reintegrating in Bangladesh (FRRei) project Mahtab Liton made presentations narrating the project activities.
 
Deputy Program Manager of LAMB FRRei project Dr. Tahmina Khatun Sonia made a presentation on LAMB Fistula Program.
 
 She discussed causes behind obstetric, congenital, malignant, surgical or iatrogenic, traumatic and tuberculosis fistula, treatment facilities and activities for rehabilitation of fistula patients in 13 districts of Rangpur and Rajshahi divisions.
 
She also talked about 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.
 
Gynecology specialist Dr. Kamrun Nahar Jui addressed as keynote speaker. Acting Rangpur Civil Surgeon Dr. Robi Sankar Mondol, President of Rangpur divisional and district units of Bangladesh Private Hospital, Clinic and Diagnostic Owners’ Association Professor Dr. Syed Mamunur Rahman and its General Secretary Shamsur Rahman Koyel also spoke.
 
The speakers said genital fistula is an abnormal opening in the female genital tract that causes uncontrollable, constant leakage of urine or feces while obstetric fistula is usually caused by prolonged obstructed labor without timely medical intervention.
 
Conversely, iatrogenic fistula is caused by surgical mistakes like cuts in the bladder during cesarean and other surgeries unrelated to childbirth like injuries caused through sexual violence, female genital mutilation or accidents causing constant leakage of urine.
 
Dr. Habibur Rahman said surgeons could reduce the increasing rate of iatrogenic fistula patients through conducting cesarean and other surgeries more skillfully with special precautionary measures.
 
"If surgical iatrogenic fistula patients are detected, the private sector hospitals, clinics and other institutions should refer them to proper places like Medical College Hospitals or LAMB Hospital for proper treatments," he said.