The Department of Family Planning (DFP)
completed the observance of Fistula Week-2023 on Saturday with identification
of seven new obstetric fistula patients in Gaibandha district.
"The week was observed to create awareness among people about the curable
obstetric fistula disease, identify patients and bring them under cost-free
treatments marking the International Day to End Obstetric Fistula-2023," a
press release said here today.
The Directorate General of Health Services, UNFPA-funded LAMB Elimination of
Genital Fistula by Capturing, Treating, Rehabilitating and Reintegrating in
Bangladesh (FRRei) project and Community Health and Development Programme
extended support to observe the week.
As per the direction of Rangpur Divisional Director of the DFP Dewan Morshed
Kamal, the DFP of Gaibandha observed the Fistula Week through a meeting
titled "Planning Meeting on Fistula Week Observation" held in Gaibandha on
May 15 last.
Accordingly, Deputy Director of the DFP, Gaibandha Prasenjit Prannoy Mishra
engaged 371 family planning health service providers who visited 20,740
households door-to-door in seven upazilas of Gaibandha to identify fistula
patients and disseminate information about fistula.
During the weeklong door-to-door visits, seven new fistula patients were
identified, including four patients in Gaibandha Sadar upazila and three were
identified in Shaghata upazila.
"During the last two years, 43 obstetric fistula patients were identified in
Gaibandha, 35 of them were referred to LAMB Hospital at Parbatipur in
Dinajpur where all of the 35 patients recovered after undergoing surgeries,"
the release added.
Talking to BSS, Program Manager of the LAMB FRRei Project Mahatab Liton
narrated the activities of LAMB in eliminating obstetric fistula from Rangpur
and Rajshahi divisions as a part of the government's efforts to end obstetric
fistula from the country by 2030.
"Under the FRRei project, potential fistula patients are initially identified
and referred to fistula corners in upazila and district hospitals and
patients with fistula are fully assisted in operation and rehabilitation,"
Liton added.
Deputy Project Manager of FRRei project Dr. Tahmina Khatun Soniya said
obstetric fistula is 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.
"The DFP of Gaibandha observed the Fistula Week for more publicity involving
field-level health and family planning workers on prevention of obstetric
fistula and inspiring fistula patients to avail cost-free treatment
facilities," she added.
Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha