M. A. Mannan, Bhola:An advocacy meeting on the elimination of obstetric fistula was held at the Civil Surgeon’s Office in Bhola on Monday, May 4, 2026 at 11:30 AM.The meeting was organized by the District Civil Surgeon’s Office with technical support from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Bangladesh and the Centre for Injury Prevention and Research, Bangladesh (CIPRB). Civil Surgeon Dr. Md. Monirul Islam presided over the session.Dr. Monirul Islam urged all relevant institutions and field-level health workers to actively engage in identifying fistula patients and ensuring they receive necessary treatment and support.Representatives from the district health department, family planning division, development organizations, and other stakeholders attended the meeting.Speakers noted that coordinated initiatives are underway to make Bhola district fistula-free, in line with the national target of eliminating obstetric fistula across the country by 2030. They emphasized active participation from both government and non-government organizations.During the meeting, Char Fasson and Tazumuddin upazilas were selected as priority areas to be declared fistula-free within 2026. Participants also decided to strengthen coordination with ongoing field-level healthcare services to identify potential patients. The meeting stressed continuing previous campaign efforts in Daulatkhan, Borhanuddin, and Lalmohan upazilas. Daulatkhan was declared a fistula-free upazila last year.It was announced that a 15-day special campaign will run from May 5 to May 20 ahead of the International Day to End Obstetric Fistula on May 23. Health workers will identify suspected fistula cases alongside their routine duties during this period.The Civil Surgeon’s Office will issue necessary guidelines to ensure proper observance of the day. Development partners, the health department, and relevant agencies will be engaged in the campaign.Participants underscored the importance of raising awareness through institutions including the Islamic Foundation, Department of Social Services, and Department of Women Affairs. A proposal was also made to include fistula awareness messages in Friday sermons delivered by mosque imams........Caption: Civil Surgeon Dr. Md. Monirul Islam addresses the advocacy meeting on fistula elimination in Bhola