Dhaka, Bangladesh (BBN) – The U.S. Government, through the U.S. Agency for International Development, USAID, released two studies from the USAID Fistula Care Project on Wednesday.
The findings will help medical professionals prevent and treat a significant and dangerous health condition that affects an estimated 1.69 women out of every 1,000 in Bangladesh.
USAID’s Fistula Care Project works in partnership with three private hospitals in Bangladesh: Kumudini Hospital, Tangail; LAMB Hospital, Dinajpur; and Memorial Christian Hospital, Cox’s Bazaar.
The project aims to prevent and repair fistula and rehabilitate the repaired fistula patients. It also provides patients with skills for income generation and helps to reintegrate them into their families and communities.
The findings of the two studies will guide the government and private sector in developing better strategies and approaches for pregnant women to have a safe delivery, a healthy child and avoid complications such as obstetric fistula.
Obstetric fistula is preventable. Causes of obstetric fistula include poverty and a lack of education often leading to early marriage and pregnancy. Delaying marriage after 18 years and using family planning to delay pregnancy are key ways to prevent fistula.
When obstetric fistula occurs, medical interventions include: increased institutional deliveries, skilled attendance at home deliveries, timely and appropriate referral for any complications during delivery, abundance of emergency obstetric care facilities and skilled manpower, and management of obstructed labor by cesarean section operations at facilities.
Obstetric fistula is curable. The Government of Bangladesh’s 10 Medical College Hospitals, four USAID-funded private hospitals, two Ad-din Hospitals in Dhaka and Jessore, and the Kumudini and LAMB Hospitals provide free of cost treatment and rehabilitation services.
Maternal death has decreased in Bangladesh to 194 per 100,000 live births, institutional delivery has increased to 23 percent, and skilled attendance at delivery is 26.5 percent indicating that the maternal health situation has improved.
These improvements have been possible due to a collective effort undertaken by public, NGOs, and private sector providers, many of which are supported by USAID. However, further reductions in maternal mortality will depend on treatment of fistula and other complications related to childbirth.
The Fistula Care Project is funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), the U.S. Government’s principal development agency, and implemented by EngenderHealth.
The U.S. Government, through USAID, has provided over $5.8 billion in development assistance to Bangladesh since 1971. In 2011 alone, USAID provided more than $180 million to improve the lives of people in Bangladesh, including $17 million in environment and climate change funding.
The USAID supports programs in Bangladesh that: promote democratic institutions and practices; expand food security and economic opportunity; improve health and education services; and increase resiliency to climate change through adaptation and low carbon development.
BBN/SSR/SI-21June12-10:10 am (BST)
