Gaibandha: As many as 174 obstetric fistula patients were detected in all seven upazilas of the district through a search campaign conducted by health and family planning departments here from 2012 to 2025. The campaign was conducted in cooperation with LAMB Hospital under its FRRei project funded by UNFPA Bangladesh.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, of the 174 patients, 12 were detected in Fulchhari upazila, 34 in Sadar upazila, 40 in Gobindaganj upazila, 27 in Palashbari upazila, 22 in Sadullapur upazila, 8 in Saghata upazila, and 31 in Sundarganj upazila of the district. Initially, the patients were considered suspicious, but after diagnosis with laboratory testing, they were confirmed as fistula patients.
This information was disclosed by Dr. Shaheen Aktar, a field officer of UNFPA Bangladesh, at an advocacy meeting on fistula patient identification held at the conference room of the Civil Surgeon's office in the town, chaired by CS Dr. Rafiquzzaman. All patients received free treatment from medical college hospitals and LAMB Hospital and recovered from the disease through repairing/surgery operations.
Several impoverished patients were also brought under the rehabilitation program of the project, where assets were distributed to them to engage in income-generating activities, helping them run their families without economic trouble. A plan has been made to formally declare Gobindaganj upazila as fistula-free on December 23.
Dr. Shaheen Aktar, in a conversation with BSS, emphasized that obstetric fistula is fully curable if patients are identified quickly and provided timely treatment through government health complexes and hospitals, including LAMB Hospital. Those who have recovered through surgical operations are now leading normal lives.
He urged societal stakeholders, including media personnel, to assist in identifying obstetric fistula patients to achieve a fistula-free Gaibandha district by 2030 or earlier.