The number of obstetric fistula patients is increasing day by day in our country. Apart from physical problems, women suffering from this disease have to suffer social neglect and humiliation. Many consider them a social and family burden. The kind of mental depression, anxiety and turmoil that a fistula patient experiences is terrible.
Experts believe that due to lack of awareness including delayed or obstructed deliveries, child marriage and early pregnancy, uterine surgery, delivery by unskilled midwives, fistula disease is on the rise.
Divisional workshop on end obstetric fistula has been organized in the office of the Divisional Director (Health) in Sylhet yesterday. Dr. Md. Harun-or-Rashid Divisional Director (Health) has inaugurated the workshop.
Brig. General Mahbubur Rahman Bhuiyan, Director of MAG Osmani Medical College Hospital, Md. Mazharul Haque Chowdhury, Divisional Director (Family Planning), Prof. Dr. M. Khalilur Rahman, Senior Consultant of BIRDEM General Hospital, Prof. Dr. Ferdowsi Begum, former president of OGSB and Dr. Animesh Biswas, Technical officer of United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) were participated as resource person in the workshop.
The workshop moderated by Dr. Bhaskar Bhattacharjee Barshan, Medical Officer of the office of the Divisional Director (Health). Among others, Professor Dr. MA Halim, Director of Reproductive and Child Health Department of CIPRB, Dr. Chowdhury Jalal Uddin Murshed and Dr. Manisar Chowdhury, Civil Surgeon, Dr. Mohammad Noore Alam Shamim, Assistant Director (Disease Control), Prof. Dr. Nasreen Akhter, Head of Gynecology and Obstetrics Department of MAG Osmani Medical College, Dr. Khursheda Tahmin, Assistant Professor, Prof. Dr. Shamsunnahar Hena, Fistula Surgeon of OGSB, Dr. Ferdous Akhter, Dr. Abdullahel Maruf Faruqi, Dr. Md. Mozammel Hossain and Dr. Delwar Hossain Sumon, Upazila health and family planning officers, Md Moniruzzaman Monir, Fakhrul Islam, Monika Islam and Bilkis Akhtar Sumi, journalists, Dr. Sharif Md. Sanjid Zaman, Medical Officer, Alexan Bibi and Banesa Begum, fistula survivors, Dr. Abu Sayeed Mohammad Abdullah, Team Leader of RCH department, Md. Altafur Rahman, Project Coordinator, Sharmina Parveen and Rina Akhter, District Coordinators were present in the event.
The speakers in the workshop reviewed in detail the progress and challenges of obstetric fistula program in Sylhet Division. It is further informed that,
"Fistula Elimination Program-2030" is being implemented in all districts of Sylhet Division in collaboration with Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and United Nations Population Fund. Center for Injury Prevention and Research Bangladesh (CIPRB) is providing technical support for the implementation of the program. Under this program, assistance is mainly provided to cover fistula patient identification, referral and rehabilitation support.
Sources informed that 107 patients have been identified in Sylhet division this year. Of these, 85 people have been referred from the community to different hospitals for diagnosis. 64 underwent surgery and 53 recovered and returned to normal life.
According to district-wise information, 27 patients have been identified in Sylhet, 22 in Moulvibazar, 34 in Habiganj and 24 in Sunamganj. It was also informed in the discussion that special activities are underway to declare 4 upazilas of Sylhet division free from obstetric fistula. Sylhet Division has been recommended to conduct activities in coordination with all concerned to make fistula free by the earliest possible time.
