Govt declares Polyclinic free obstetric fistula treatment center

ISLAMABAD: The Polyclinic in the federal capital has been designated as a free-of-cost obstetric fistula treatment center. This came after completing a five-day doctors’ training session as well as a social and surgical camp on obstetric fistula conducted at this hospital.

The camp covered issues of capacity building of medical professionals and the provision of totally free fistula repair services, with the intention of restoring dignity and improving the lives of affected women.

A fistula is defined by medical professionals as an abnormal connection between different parts of the body, whether it is an organ or blood vessels, or any other body part. Injuries or surgeries can be the causes of fistulas. However, an obstetric fistula is one of the worst injuries a woman can sustain.

These cases happen when the labor process is delayed or interrupted and resulting in the creation of a gap between the birth canal and the bladder. According to a statement from the polyclinic’s spokesman, Dr. Abdul Jabbar Bhutto, the polyclinic offers free treatment to government employees as it is a public institution.

However, he added that their employees still buy them medicines and surgical instruments, and also wait for a long time in order to get surgeries because of the high patient turnout.

He added that with the hospital having the status of a free of cost obstetric fistula treatment center, patients from all over the country would get their treatment free of cost.