Obstetric Fistula: A Cry for Change to Empower Mothers

In the face of global acclaim for reducing maternal mortality rates, Bangladesh finds itself lagging behind in providing sustained access to skilled healthcare professionals for women. It is disheartening to learn that a staggering 20,000 women in our country suffer from fistula yearly, with the majority afflicted by obstetric fistula. These women endure the devastating consequences of prolonged, obstructed labour or surgical errors during childbirth, which result in incontinence, depression, and social isolation.

While advances in maternal healthcare have been made, it is mostly the poor women who bear the burden of inadequate access to quality care. Urban slums exemplify this harsh reality, as poverty often compels women to give birth at home, denying them recommended antenatal check-ups. Tragically, the lack of access to quality maternal care during pregnancy and childbirth is a leading cause of fistula development.

The recorded number of fistula patients may not truly reflect the extent of this issue, as societal and cultural barriers discourage women from openly discussing reproductive health ailments. Hundreds of thousands of women worldwide continue to suffer from this preventable condition, which speaks volumes about the deep-rooted inequities in our healthcare system. It highlights the vulnerability of the poor, disproportionately affected by any health emergency.

It is imperative that the government places maternal healthcare for the underprivileged as a top priority, fostering better coordination among all stakeholders in the healthcare sector. Community clinics must be fully operational and provide regular antenatal check-ups to expectant mothers, particularly in marginalized areas. Surgeons should receive comprehensive training to ensure error-free procedures and prevent iatrogenic fistulas. At a policy level, the government must tackle the issue at its roots by eradicating child marriage and guaranteeing timely and quality obstetric services.

Our society can no longer afford to remain silent about fistula. Each case represents a woman whose life has been irrevocably changed by a preventable condition. Let us strive for a future where no woman suffers the physical, emotional, and social consequences of fistula. Together, we can break the silence and build a healthcare system that leaves no one behind. It is time for action, compassion, and equality in maternal healthcare.

Source: The Daily Star