Better family planning activities needed
Sunday, 28 March 2010
Projections are that by 2080 Bangladesh's population would double if its current rate of growth persists. How are we going to accommodate so many people in this small country?
Hard observers at field levels know it that the official family planning programme is not running well. Door to door family planning visitors are hardly seen doing their job. They are paid from the public purse to visit each home once a month at least in the areas where they are posted, to advise all males and females in the reproductive age group.
Contraceptives meant for free distribution or to be made available at nominal prices are actually sold commercially, which usually discourage potential users. There is a programme for operating on men and women who opt for the permanent method of birth control and awards are to be provided for those who submit to the operations. But the award money and other prizes are actually found to be misappropriated in many cases. Besides, lack of its publicity has also meant it's not gaining in popularity.
Therefore, the greatest need is to flush clean the corruption in the sector and revamp the family planning programmes for effectiveness.
Samia Haider
DOHS, Dhaka
Hard observers at field levels know it that the official family planning programme is not running well. Door to door family planning visitors are hardly seen doing their job. They are paid from the public purse to visit each home once a month at least in the areas where they are posted, to advise all males and females in the reproductive age group.
Contraceptives meant for free distribution or to be made available at nominal prices are actually sold commercially, which usually discourage potential users. There is a programme for operating on men and women who opt for the permanent method of birth control and awards are to be provided for those who submit to the operations. But the award money and other prizes are actually found to be misappropriated in many cases. Besides, lack of its publicity has also meant it's not gaining in popularity.
Therefore, the greatest need is to flush clean the corruption in the sector and revamp the family planning programmes for effectiveness.
Samia Haider
DOHS, Dhaka