The International Society of Obstetric Fistula Surgeons (ISOFS) will root out fistula from all the countries of the world including Bangladesh by 2030, ISOFS President Professor Dr Sayeda Akter declared on Thursday.

She made the pledge at a press conference arranged by ISOFS at the BICC conference center.

Earlier, ISOFS arranged a conference and workshop joined by 167 international representatives from 34 countries, and surgeons from the country. Surgical workshops were arranged by ISOFS to teach the surgery process where a surgeon from Ethiopia did 13 surgeries at MAMM's Institute of Fistula and Women's Health.

At the press meet, Prof Sayeba thanked the Bangladesh government for cooperating with ISOFS to hold this conference. She said, "We are very fortunate to hold this conference in Bangladesh as this program was scheduled to be held at Dakar of Senegal."

"Fistula patients all around the world suffer a lot and lead a very hard life. This problem is severe in the countries of Africa and in some countries of South Asia. This problem mainly occurs due to carelessness of pregnant women and unsafe childbirths. In a 2016 survey, we found that there are nearly 20,000 fistula patients in our country. If we operate regularly, we will be able to root out fistula from our country," she added.

Asked about the preventive measures of Fistula, she said, "Awareness and maternal care are the only solution of this problem. Many of the patients do not even know that Fistula is totally preventive and curable. As a result they do not come to hospital for treatment. Totally free treatment is available for this disease but the patients do not know about the facilities we provide. If we can send the messages of these facilities to grassroots people, I think we will be able to root out the problem from our country."

Prof Sayeba Akter, also founder of MAMM's Institute, sought help from the people and the government to come forward to prevent and cure the Fistula patients.

Chief Adviser of the interim government joined the program virtually as the chief guest and gave vote of thanks to the organizers.