4. Reproductive Health Rights: Ensure Safe Motherhood and
Reduce Child Mortality in Intervention Areas
Reproductive health meant peoples’ self-assurance as well as safe sexual
life where they would be able to give birth to children and independently
decide when and how to do it. Reproductive health rights campaign involves
70 to 75 participants in each of the campaign area. The campaign organizes
video shows on adolescent period and Family Planning Officer delivers
details discussion on reproductive health. In case of care and support for
pregnant mothers, it is observed that a huge number of women are deprived
and neglected regarding health, safety and productive rights. During the
meeting with pregnant women in the campaign area guidelines on anti-natal
care and post-natal care, taking care of the new born, vaccination, nutrition
and some iron and calcium tablets are also provided. There are 21 trained
birth attendants, who list pregnant mothers in the campaign area and
provide different health advices. Apart from this, the birth attendants are
equipped with clear perceptive and training on safe child delivery. Quarterly
meeting for exchanging thoughts with Upazila Health and Family Planning
department are arranged to ensure health and pregnant women’s
treatment. One river ambulance and two vans have been arranged through
the project for the poor of char area, who are unable to get treatment from
char area to Upazila health complex lacking money. The poor are now getting
good treatment free of cost. But implementation of the project is facing
some difficulties. Although, the campaign is old but assumed to be a
milestone for the area.
5. Community Participation is the Fundamental of Sustainability
Dr.Razzaqul Alam, Health Program Specialist-CMHS and Dr. Selina Amin,
Country Projects Manager, Plan Bangladesh
Bangladesh Government reformed health sector in 1998 through
establishing community clinics (CCs) for providing primary health care
services. Through community consultation, it was found that most of the
deliveries are still taking places in the household level with relatives and
untrained birth attendants. At present most of the CCs are being used by
community for receiving services but existing Union Health and Family
Welfare Centres (UHFWCs) are not being accessed properly by the pregnant
mothers for getting maternal services and normal delivery conduction due
to shortage of trained human resources, required medical equipments, in
some cases, communication are not comfortable for the pregnant mothers
for going to UHFWCs and finally, non-functional management committees of
UHandFWCs. Based on the signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)
between Plan Bangladesh and CC project of the Ministry of Health and
42 4th National Knowledge Convention