KARACHI: Speakers at a press conference held at the press club here on Thursday urged the media to create awareness on obstetric fistula, a condition caused by prolonged labour, leaving a woman incontinent.

The presser aimed at sharing the highlights of a fistula surgical camp recently organised by the Pakistan National Forum on Women’s Health at the Koohi Goth Women General Hospital in Landhi in collaboration with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the ministry of health.

Ninety-two patients with genital tract fistula and serious pelvic abnormalities from across Pakistan, including Afghan refugee women, were treated during the camp attended by more than 40 doctors from different cities.

“I had visited the hospital at the time of midwifery conference and saw patients suffering from fistula which reminded me of some of the African countries where I saw such patients,” shared Lina Mahmoud Mousa, country representative of UNFPA in Pakistan.

She said she found the level of patient care at the hospital impressive and decided to support the surgical camp after discussing the matter with her team.

“Women must not suffer from obstetric fistula, a condition which could be prevented if quality emergency medical care is available to them at the time of delivery. And, if they do, they must not suffer because they are poor,” she said.

Ms Mousa appealed to the media to highlight this condition and help women by telling them that treatment was available and the condition was treatable.

Dr Nighat Shah, a senior gynaecologist who participated in the camp, said that patients treated at the camp were amongst the poorest of the poor.

“The event also provided an opportunity to junior doctors to learn different surgical techniques to repair urinary bladder, urethra and rectal fistula.”

Narrating some moving stories of some patients who came for treatment at the camp, she said it was heartbreaking and distressing to see so many young women with fistula.

“But, it’s also great to see those happy faces of patients once they were treated. We should all make sure that these patients do not suffer in silence,” she said.

Dr Shershah Syed said that at least 21 patients with congenital vaginal deformities were also treated at the camp.

“In Pakistan 3,000 to 4,000 women suffer from these complications every year and very few of them have access to the available treatment. This situation is not acceptable.

“The government, NGOs and civil society should act to prevent fistula formation and all women suffering from this condition should be treated with dignity to live a normal life,” he said.

Senior doctors at the camp included Dr Aziz Abdullah, Dr Pushpa Srichand, Dr Nasira, Dr Tahir Sheikh, Dr Nuzhat Farooqi and Dr Narejan Kumar.

Published in Dawn, October 25th, 2019