Income generation training for fistula survivors' stressed

Boosting income-generating vocational training can be the best way to successfully rehabilitate obstetric fistula survivors besides their family and social reintegration.

Many women, particularly the poor and marginalized ones, suffer in many ways due to the problem, so a collaborative approach has become crucial for the proper rehabilitation of the sufferers.

Health experts and development activists came up with the observation while addressing the closing ceremony of a five-day-long training course titled "Capacity Development of Fistula Survivors on Rehabilitation and Reintegration" in Dinajpur on Thursday.

LAMB Hospital hosted the function at its training hall under Parbatipur upazila in collaboration with the Rangpur divisional offices of the Department of Health, the Department of Social Welfare Services and UNFPA Bangladesh.

The main objective of the training was to rehabilitate the fistula survivors through sanitary pad making. Some 20 fistula survivors joined the training course, and they were given practical knowledge on income-generating activities.

Divisional Director of Health Dr Motaherul Islam, Dr. Akhteruzzaman from the Directorate General of Health Services, Civil Surgeons Dr Jahangir Kabir and Dr Hironmbo Roy, Deputy Director of the Department of Social Services Abu Bakker Siddique addressed the meeting as resource persons.

Dr Animesh Biswas also spoke on behalf of UNFPA Bangladesh, while Dr Antje Oosterklam and Mahatab Liton on behalf of the LAMB Hospital.

The meeting was told that the LAMB Hospital has been implementing a project titled "End Obstetric Fistula in Rangpur and Rajshahi Division: Achievements and Challenges" for the overall development of fistula patients.