Pregnancy in early marriage may cause fistula: Experts

GAIBANDHA, May 26 (BSS): Health experts at a function on Sunday said pregnancy in early marriage, delayed and obstructed delivery including malnutrition of the expecting mothers may cause fistula.
"Village women suffer from fistula due to negligence in healthcare, dependence on conventional treatment, unwillingness about being treated by male doctors and many others", they said.
They made the comments while addressing a discussion meeting on fistula diseases and its prevention organized by health department at the conference room of civil surgeon (CS) here marking the Second International Day to End Obstetric Fistula-2014.
Deputy Commissioner (DC) M Ehsan-e-Elahi attended the function and addressed it as the chief guest while CS Dr Ahad Ali presided over the meeting.
The function was also addressed, among others, by deputy director of department of family planning Dr Ferdous Hossain Manzu, consultant of TB clinic Dr SMA Jalil, medical officers of Gaibandha Sadar Hospital Dr AKM Asaduzzaman and Dr Sultana Hasina Rasheda Asha, and health worker Aynunnahar Jeba.
The rate of mortality risk among pregnant girls aged between 15 and 18 years is five times higher than those of 20 years of age or above, the health experts said.
Dr Ahad Ali said many people do not know if there is any treatment available to these serious health problems. As a result, they continue to suffer from fistula though it is a curable disease.
He also said fistula treatment is available in all the hospitals across the country and sought cooperation of all to remove the misgivings about the disease.
DC Elahi in his speeches urged the doctors and health workers including media men to create much awareness among the people about the fistula and its prevention and treatment to build a fistula free society.