KARACHI: In a landmark advancement for women’s health, Koohi Goth Hospital has officially launched a Regional Fistula Center, offering free and comprehensive fistula treatment to women across Pakistan. The inauguration was marked by a ceremony attended by Provincial Health Minister Azra Fazal Pechuho, representatives of UNFPA, UNICEF, and leaders from the medical and public health sectors.
At the event, Prof. Tipu Sultan, senior gynecologist at Koohi Goth, stressed that fistula care is complex and costly, yet the hospital commits to providing full services free of charge — from patient admission, surgical intervention, to post-operative care and follow-up.
Patients arriving from remote or marginalized areas will receive state-of-the-art medical support, expert surgical teams, medication, and rehabilitative aftercare—without bearing any cost. This model ensures that financial barriers do not prevent women from seeking life-changing care.
The hospital administration expects the Regional Fistula Center to benefit not only Sindh residents but women nationwide. By expanding access to fistula repair and care, the initiative aims to raise awareness of maternal health issues and enhance quality of life for affected women.
Officials and attendees hailed this step as a major milestone in Pakistan’s public health infrastructure. The center is poised to play a pivotal role in reducing the burden of obstetric fistula, restoring dignity to survivors, and improving maternal care outcomes.
What is a fistula?
An obstetric fistula is a devastating injury often resulting from prolonged or obstructed labor without timely medical intervention. It causes an abnormal opening between the birth canal and bladder or rectum, leading to incontinence of urine and/or feces and long-term physical, social, and psychological consequences. Globally, tens of thousands of new cases appear each year, disproportionately affecting women in underserved regions.
