Experts at an orientation programme stressed on ensuring proper management and safe surgery at the 'Fistula Management and Referral Center' here to eliminate the unbearable but curable obstetric fistula disease.
They opined this at the event titled 'Fistula Management and Referral Center' organised by Shaheed Ziaur Rahman Medical College Hospital (SZMCH) at its conference room in Bogura town, said a press release issued by LAMB at Parbatipur in Dinajpur on Wednesday.
The Directorate General of Health Services, LAMB and UNFPA Bangladesh funded Elimination of Genital Fistula by Capturing, Treating, Rehabilitating and Reintegrating in Bangladesh (FRRei) project extended technical support in arranging the program.
Obstetrics, gynecology and fistula surgeons and experts, medical officers, senior staff nurses and officials of SZMCH and other officials attended the event.
Deputy Director of SZMCH Dr Abdul Wadud presided over the event.
Ekushey Medal winner and Chief Executive Officer of MAMMS Institution of Fistula and Women's Health Professor Dr Sayeba Akhter virtually participated in the event as the keynote speaker.
Deputy Project Manager of LAMB-UNFPA's FRRei project Dr Tahmina Khatun Soniya delivered a welcome speech narrating the goals and objectives of the event.
Head of the Department of Gynecology of SZMCH Dr. Akhteri Hossain Chowdhury Nipa, Head of the Department of Urology Dr. Md. Ahsan Habib, Dr Mashtura, Dr Sultana Razia and Project Manager of the FRRei project Mahtab Liton were present.
In her speech, Professor Dr Sayeba Akhter comprehensively discussed reasons behind the unbearable but preventable obstetric fistula, its modern treatment and surgery.
Putting importance on ensuring safe surgery, she said, "Surgical skills of obstetric and urologist surgeons are crucial during cesarean and other surgeries unrelated to childbirth also for preventing the increasing number of new cases of iatrogenic fistula."
She said iatrogenic fistula is caused unintentionally by surgical inaccuracy during cesarean, urological and other surgeries unrelated to childbirth like in cases of injuries caused through sexual violence, female genital mutilation or accidents.
Dr Mashtura narrated the causes behind obstetric fistula and delivered guidance on its treatment.
Dr Akhteri Hossain discussed the current fistula treatment situation at SZMCH where fistula patients are treated, discussed reasons behind obstetric fistula, sufferings of fistula patients and ongoing cost-free fistula treatment facilities in Bangladesh.
She highlighted the need to address the burden of fistula and ways to eradicate obstetric fistula from Bogura district.
Dr Abdul Wadud assured of making every effort and extending assistance to continue safe fistula surgery at SZMCH with proper management to end the disease in the country by 2030 next.
"A center has been established in SZMCH for fistula surgery so that every patient can be rehabilitated for leading a normal life with family in the society," he said, and thanked the UNFPA for extending assistance in eliminating fistula from the country.