Effective and sensible role of the journalists, working in print, electronic and online media, can be the crucial means of bringing the patients suffering from obstetric fistula under treatment and rehabilitation.
Many of the government and non-government organisations concerned are providing need-based supports related to treatment and rehabilitation free of cost to the patients as the government has set the target of freeing the country from obstetric fistula by 2030.
So, there is no way but to reach the messages about the cost-free treatment and rehabilitation facilities to the patients suffering from the chronic disease in different parts of the region, particularly in its remote and hard-to-reach areas.
Experts and development activists made the observation while addressing an advocacy meeting with electronic and print media: On End Obstetric Fistula in Rajshahi District at the conference hall of Tanore Upazila Health Complex in Rajshahi district on Monday.
UNFPA Bangladesh and Lamb Hospital hosted the meeting under the FRRei project titled "Elimination of Genital Fistula by Capturing, Treating, Rehabilitating and Reintegrating in Bangladesh" sensitizing the media personnel on how to remove the sufferings of the patients.
Upazila Health and Family Planning Officer Dr Farid Hossain addressed the discussion as chief guest, while President of Tanore Press Club Sayeed Sazu in the chair.
LAMB Project Manager Mahatab Liton, its Deputy Project Manager Dr Tahamina Khatun, District Coordinator Ruhul Amin Mridha and Monitoring Coordinator Sadia Akter addressed the meeting as resource persons disseminating their expertise on the issue. The attending journalists were told that obstetric fistula is one of the most serious and tragic childbirth injuries. A hole between the birth canal and bladder and or rectum, it is caused by prolonged, obstructed labour without access to timely, high-quality medical treatment. It leaves women with incontinence problems, and often leads to chronic
medical problems, depression, social isolation and deepening poverty.
However, the problem is preventable with the correct medical assistance and its occurrence is a violation of human rights and a reminder of gross inequities.
So, concerted efforts of all authorities concerned, including the media, has become crucial to mitigate the problem.
The LAMB Hospital is implementing need-based programmes including case
Identification from the community, referral for diagnosis, timely management,
motivation, counseling, follow up and comprehensive rehabilitation and
reintegration to free the society from obstetric fistula by 2030.
