BSS, Rajshahi :
Ensuring reproductive health rights coupled with education and empowerment of women can be an effective means of eliminating obstetric fistula.
Besides, commitment, financial resources and cooperation at policy making level, from health care providers and from communities has become an urgent need to free every part of society from the burden of the obstetric fistula.
The views were expressed by health experts at a daylong orientation titled “Elimination of Obstetric Fistula in Rajshahi Division” held at the office conference hall of Divisional Director of Health in Rajshahi on Sunday.
Divisional Directorate of Health Services hosted the orientation with the support of LAMB-UNFPA FRRei Project, Dinajpur discussing and devising ways and means on how to eliminate the obstetric fistula with a holistic approach.
Around 50 persons including 33 medical officers and obstetrics and gynecology experts from different upazilas in Rajshahi, Bogura and Sirajgonj districts took part in the workshop.
The participants were given knowledge on how to find the associated factors in the occurrence of obstetric fistula and their effect on the mental health status of women of the reproductive age group and way-out of those.
Assistant Director of Health Dr Anwarul Kabir addressed the opening session as chief guest, while Mahatab Liton, Resource Development and Communication Manager and Medical Officer Dr Tahrima Hossain of LAMB, welcomed the participants.
Assistant Professors Dr Nazmun Nahar and Dr Nargis Shamima from the Department of obstetrics and gynecology in Rajshahi Medical College and Hospital conducted the orientation sessions as resource persons disseminating their expertise on the issue.
They unanimously said women of the less-income families with a lack of access to quality maternal health care are predominantly affected and have been associated with lifelong ostracism, stigma, and shame and with sexual, fertility, and future childbearing issues, in addition to incontinence.
Mahatab Liton told the meeting that obstetric fistula is predominantly caused by obstetric causes but can also occur due to provider error or trauma.
In addition to physical trauma, this also results in psychosocial trauma for the woman as she is oftentimes ostracized from her family and community as well.
In the rural areas, many women give birth at home without any trained medical help present, obstetric fistula is prevalent.
Liton, however, said the LAMB project is intended to eliminate genital fistula by capturing, treating and reintegrating.
