admin
The 9th International Society for Obstetric Fistula Surgeons (ISOFS) Conference, launched on 11 December, has brought together over 500 delegates from 35 countries, united in the mission to eliminate obstetric fistula by 2030. This three-day event provides a critical platform for experts and advocates to discuss strategies, share knowledge, and strengthen global commitments to eradicate this preventable and devastating childbirth injury affecting millions of women and girls worldwide.
Each year, up to 500,000 new cases of obstetric fistula are reported worldwide, and more than 2 million women are estimated to be living with untreated fistulas. The condition, often a result of prolonged, obstructed labor without timely medical intervention, leaves women incontinent, socially stigmatized, and isolated. Bangladesh, with approximately 20,000 cases, is one of the countries most impacted by this preventable condition.
On the first day of the conference, the International Obstetric Fistula Working Group met to finalize a global roadmap for ending obstetric fistula by 2030. Participants from UNFPA, USAID, MOMENTUM, FIGO, OGSB, and the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Bangladesh, engaged in panel discussions and forums, acknowledging that ending obstetric fistula goes beyond healthcare interventions. It is a mission to restore dignity, break down barriers, and improve the lives of millions of women and adolescent girls.
An emotional testimony from a fistula survivor in Bangladesh highlighted the resilience and hope of those who have endured the condition. These moments reinforced the need for collective action and reaffirmed the global commitment to ending obstetric fistula and restoring the health, dignity, and rights of affected women and girls.
UNFPA Representative a.i., Masaki Watabe, emphasized that preventing fistula is deeply tied to quality maternity care, including access to skilled birth attendants, antenatal care, institutional deliveries, and emergency obstetric care. He noted that in humanitarian emergencies, birth attendants must be equipped with the necessary skills to provide life-saving obstetric care, which is vital to preventing fistula.
The conference also spotlighted significant progress in Bangladesh’s fight against obstetric fistula. UNFPA’s Chief of Health delivered a keynote address, detailing the country’s advancements over the past five years and outlining strategic priorities to accelerate progress in the coming years.
This year’s ISOFS Conference is a powerful catalyst for global collaboration, calling for coordinated strategies and resource alignment to achieve a fistula-free world. By addressing obstetric fistula, the conference emphasizes the broader importance of improving maternal health and upholding women’s rights worldwide. The event marks a crucial step in the global effort to eradicate obstetric fistula, ensuring that no woman or girl will suffer from this preventable and treatable condition.
