Professor Dr. Sayeba Akhter

Lifetime achievement award for her contribution to the field of Medical science inventing “Sayeba’s method” for treating post postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) in low income countries and dedicating her life caring for women with obstetric fistula

Professor Sayeba Akhter graduated from Chittagong Medical College in 1975 and obtained FCPS degree in Obs & Gynae in 1982. Later on, she earned a Diploma in “Reproductive Health” from “Liverpool school of Tropical Medicine” and Fellowship from “Royal College of Obstetrics and Gynecology”. She started her career as a lecturer in Chittagong Medical College. Thereafter she served in different medical college hospitals including Dhaka Medical College Hospital, Sher-E-Bangla Medical College Hospital, Mymensingh Medical College Hospital, M.A.G Osmani Medical College Hospital &Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University as a Professor and departmental head of the department of “Obs & Gynae”. A world-renowned surgeon in Obstetric Fistula Repair, Professor Akhter is the founder of the National Fistula Centre in Bangladesh. Professor Akhter trained doctors of Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Timor Leste on fistula surgery.

Professor Akhter is known worldwide for her invention of the low cost, simple, effective and easy devise ‘Condom Uterine Tamponade’ for management of severe PPH (the Sayeba’s Method). This innovation stimulated researcher to conduct numerous studies on this method and this method is now being used/included in the guideline of PPH management in many developing countries of Asia and Africa. Professor Akhter is the author of numerous publications in peer reviewed international journals and presented scientific papers in numerous national and international forums, and conferences.

Professor Akhter dedicated her life for the care of patients with obstetric fistula. She was so moved with the sorrows and sufferings of these patients that after her retirement she started a charitable hospital named “MAMM’S Institute of Fistula and Women’s Health” for their treatment. This is a 20-bed hospital in Maghbazar, Dhaka, where the patients of fistula, perineal tear, prolapse and other pelvic floor disorders are treated free of cost. Besides this, she runs two “Educational and developmental center for girls” in Dhaka and Gaibandha named “Matrichaya”. “Women friendly hospital”, “Adolescence reproductive health & development”, “Violence against women” etc. are some important concepts that came into reality through the hands of Prof. Sayeba. She has received many awards at home and abroad as the recognition of her contribution to women’s health. Among them “Fellow Honoris Causa” by Royal College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, “Life time achievement award” by OGSB, “Women Super Achiever Award” by Femina India, “Women Leadership Award” By CMO Asia, “ Jaya Alokito Nari” by RTV, “Agrajatrae odommo nari” by The Daily Bhorer Kagoj, “PIB Award 2018”, “Award by Prabha Online Journal”, Excellence Award by SAARC Women Association, Annanya Shirsha Dash etc are worthy of mention. She was awarded with honorary fellowship degree from Pakistan, India and many other countries. She played important roles as a member of Executive Committee of different organizations like President – OGSB, Councilor- BCPS, Member- FIGO fistula committee etc. Recently she has been nominated as “President- Elect” of International Society of Obstetric Fistula Surgeons (ISOFS).