Strengthening FPP to check population growth stressed

Speakers at a meeting stressed the need for giving emphasis on strengthening family planning (FP) programme with a view to checking population growth in the country, reports UNB. They said although the country has many successes in many sectors particularly in reducing maternal mortality, child mortality, TFR and increasing CPR, it has many challenges in family planning programme until now, which are very much interlinked for achieving the MDGs. The national level stakeholders' meeting was held at the conference room of the Family Planning Directorate Tuesday to share the draft proposal of the national FP campaign which includes campaign outline, logo, slogan and estimated cost. Humayun Kabir, secretary, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, requested the UNFPA to give special attention to under-performing districts and divisions including slums and costal belt with special messages and materials during the family planning national campaign. Yuki Suehiro, officer-in-charge of UNFPA Bangladesh, said the family planning campaign does not merely include the promotion of contraceptives but it's a lifestyle which would be the major thrust of this campaign. She said that this campaign would be a new approach that would be able to stimulate the young generation in particular to begin with a new culture - a lifestyle as a means to promote health and well-being of the young population in particular and the people of Bangladesh in general.