Family Welfare of Bangladesh Government, Plan provided series of training
to community groups (CGs) for operation and regular monitoring clinic
activities with a view to ensure primary health care services and
strengthened linkages. Plan also in consultation with local health and family
planning administration reformed management committee of UHFWCs and
oriented them, provided training on human resources, minimum medical
equipments to UHFWCs, CCs of Plan working areas has been remaining open
in all working days as per government schedule and community people are
receiving services. Percentage of antenatal care and post natal care has
increased. Referral linkages have also been strengthened than previous and
institutional deliveries have been taking place in UHandFWCs. Meaningful
community participation is the first and mandatory means of sustainability
and that could be achieved through right based participatory working
approach (Child Centered Community Development Approach, Plan has
been practicing in the community).
6. Protecting the children with disability
Jadab Chandra Roy, Executive Director, Community Development Center
(CDC), Dinajpur
Bangladesh government has ratified United Nations’ Convention on the
Rights of the Child and Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
By prioritizing Bangladesh Disability Welfare Act 2001 and other relevant
policies and by supporting all government initiatives with respect to rights of
the child, it is the demand of this time to protect children with disability.
Major challenges for the development of children with disability at
grassroots level are, absence of schools and trained teachers on disability
issues, lack of educational access, lack of support system with regard to the
requirements of the children with disability besides reluctance of family as
well as society, lack of government-nongovernment initiatives for creating
enabling atmosphere where these children could flourish, absence of
cooperation for rehabilitation program, lack of inclusive education, and
absence of enabling system for enhancing potential of the children with
disability. Community Based Rehabilitation (CBR) Program would be timely
initiative for protecting rights of these children. It is possible to develop an
inclusive social system by eliminating poverty and by protecting rights of the
Poverty and Development: Realities of Grassroots 43