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The Bangladeshi Doctor Whose Invention is Saving Millions of New Mothers!


 

Dr. Sayeba Akhter, a pioneering obstetrician from Bangladesh, developed a simple yet life-saving solution for postpartum hemorrhage, the leading cause of maternal deaths in her country 30-40 years ago. While serving as the head of the Gynaecology and Obstetrics Department at Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) in 2000, she noticed an alarming number of new mothers dying from excessive bleeding after childbirth.

Postpartum hemorrhage, or severe bleeding following birth, often led not only to death but also to women losing their uterus as a last resort to stop the bleeding. This not only put an end to their chances of having more children but also involved expensive and invasive treatments. Dr. Sayeba sought a more accessible and affordable solution. Her breakthrough, known as the “condom catheter tamponade,” has since become globally recognized as “Sayeba’s method.”

In an interview, Dr. Sayeba recounted a traumatic experience that inspired her invention. “One day, I witnessed two women die from postpartum bleeding,” she said. Reflecting on the idea of applying pressure to stop the bleeding, she recalled children playing with balloons and wondered if a similar technique could be used in the uterus. The next day, during surgery, she stopped doctors from removing a patient’s uterus and used a condom filled with water to apply pressure to the uterus, halting the bleeding within 10 minutes.

She later used the same technique on 23 other women, all of whom recovered fully. Since then, her method has saved millions of mothers worldwide. The procedure requires simple materials: a catheter, a condom, string, a saline set, and saline solution. The condom is attached to the catheter, inserted into the uterus, and then inflated with saline. The pressure from the inflated condom stops the bleeding much like applying pressure to a wound.

Dr. Sayeba noted that prior to her discovery, 31% of maternal deaths in Bangladesh were due to postpartum hemorrhage, but her method has significantly reduced that figure. With the apparatus costing only around 100 Bangladeshi taka (approximately 99 cents), it can be used in rural health clinics, saving lives without requiring costly surgeries.

Dr. Saqlain Rasel, who worked with Dr. Sayeba during 2003-2004, recalled how her method gained international recognition. It was published in respected medical journals such as Medscape, the International Gynecology and Obstetrics Journal, and the British Medical Journal. Her innovation has since been implemented in countries including Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and even Canada.

Despite this widespread recognition, Dr. Sayeba’s work has sometimes been misattributed, including a recent BBC News segment that credited a midwife in Kenya with the discovery. This mistake has drawn criticism from experts who stress the importance of giving Dr. Sayeba due recognition for her revolutionary contribution to maternal health.

Dr. Sayeba Akhter continues to share her life-saving technique with the world, recently conducting training at an international seminar in Indonesia. Her contribution to maternal care stands as a testament to the power of simple, innovative solutions in saving lives.

This story was originally published in Bangla Tribune
https://www.dhakatribune.com/75938

#Health & #Wellness
#KaziAnisAhmed
#Jakia Ahmed

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