“Fistula” is becoming biggest threat for women:Begum Zakia Shahnawaz

Lahore: Provincial Minister for Population Welfare Begum Zakia Shahnawaz has said that increasing number of women patients suffering from “Fistula” and other problems need immediate attention.

She said this while addressing a conference on “Fistula” held under the aegis of National Forum on Women Health, here today. Dr. Sher Shah Syed, Prof. Yasmeen Rashid, Dr. Nighat Shah, Dr. Izhar, Dr. Ashraf, representative of UNFPA Mark Brain also addressed the conference.

The Provincial Minister said that a campaign against “Fistula” is continuing in various government hospitals with the cooperation of UNFPA during the last eight years and free treatment is being provided to the patients. She said that this disease is found in young girls and its main reason is early age marriage. Zakia Shahnawaz said that after the amendments by Punjab Assembly, marriage of girls before 16 years’ age has been declared illegal and punishment and fine will be imposed on violation of this law. She said that media can play an important role for elimination of this disease. She said that Population Welfare Department is providing free treatment facilities of reproductive health. She stressed the need for creating awareness about “Fistula” so that maximum women could benefit from it. Begum Zakia Shahnawaz said that UNFPA has complete support of the government and the aim of this conference is to get rid of “Fistula” disease.