The 9th International Society for Obstetric Fistula Surgeons (ISOFS) Conference being held in Dhaka has called to end obstetric fistula by 2030.
Obstetric fistula is a devastating childbirth injury caused by prolonged, obstructed labor without timely medical intervention.
The three-day conference that brought together over 500 delegates, including 167 international participants from 35 countries, focused on the global challenge of eliminating obstetric fistula. The conference will end on Friday.
This gathering provided a critical platform for dialogue, knowledge sharing, and reaffirmed commitments to achieve the goal of ending fistula by 2030, the UNFPA said.
Each year, globally, there are up to 500,000 new cases of obstetric fistula and over 2 million girls and women worldwide are estimated to be living with untreated fistulas.
During the 1st day of the three-day conference, the International Obstetric Fistula working group meeting was held to finalize the global roadmap for ending obstetric fistula.
During this conference delegates engaged in various forums and panels, recognizing that ending fistula transcends healthcare interventions.
Representatives from UNFPA, USAID, MOMENTUM, FIGO, OGSB, and the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Bangladesh, participated in different sessions.
An inspiring testimony from a fistula survivor in Bangladesh stood out, symbolizing resilience and hope. Bangladesh has approximately 20,000 fistula cases.
UNFPA acting representative Masaki Watabe said “the prevention of fistula is intrinsically linked to the provision of quality maternity care. This encompasses ensuring prompt access to midwife-led antenatal care, skilled birth attendance, institutional deliveries, and emergency obstetric care. In humanitarian emergencies, where childbirth persists, it is vital to equip birth attendants with the skills needed to provide emergency obstetric care, thus playing a crucial role in fistula prevention”.
This year’s ISOFS Conference serves as a catalyst for strengthened global collaboration.
It emphasizes the need for coordinated strategies and resource alignment to realize a fistula-free world.
The conference highlights the importance of addressing obstetric fistula as a fundamental aspect of improving maternal health and upholding women's rights.
This conference represents a pivotal step forward in the global campaign to end obstetric fistula, reaffirming the shared commitment to creating a future where no woman or girl suffers from this preventable condition, said the UNFPA.
