INF at UN fistula meeting

INF will be represented by gynæcologist Dr Shirley Heywood at a three-day meeting beginning today in Kathmandu to discuss national plans for surveillance of obstetric fistula. A fistula is a hole between the bladder and vagina caused by injury in childbirth, which results in leaking urine. Women with a fistula smell of urine, and many are ostracised and divorced by their husbands. There are four centres of fistula service in Nepal: Patan Hospital, Kathmandu; Thapatali Maternity Hospital, Kathmandu; BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences, Dharan; and INF. 'Representatives from each centre will develop a plan for fistula surveillance in Nepal in consultation with government health officials and other health professionals,' says Shirley. 'There will be a needs assessment in November and December when a national expert and an international expert will visit each of the four centres to determine the needs for developing appropriate fistula services.' This week's meetings have been organised by the Asia Pacific Regional Office of the United Nations Population Fund and will also be attended by participants from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Cambodia, East Timor, Laos, Myanmar and Pakistan who will be developing fistula surveillance plans for their countries.

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