US-funded health initiative for mothers launched
Friday, 24 July 2009
FE Report
Minister of Health Dr AFM Ruhal Haque and US Ambassador to Bangladesh James F Moriarty launched a major new health initiative Thursday called "Mayer Hashi" ("Mother's Smile").
The programme will improve women's and children's health by increasing awareness of and access to long-acting and permanent methods (LAPM) of family planning, said a press release.
The project will also raise awareness among health care workers about pregnancy-related complications allowing them to identify and treat these life-threatening conditions at an early stage.
The US Government, through USAID, is funding this $12 million programme.
According to the latest Bangladesh Demographic Survey, 62 per cent of women do not want more children, yet only seven per cent use LAPM. Mayer Hashi will work with health care providers, the Government of Bangladesh and NGOs to improve information about family planning and train professionals to provide safe LAPM service.
The programme will provide access to LAPM to five million married couples in Sylhet, Chittagong and Barisal. 'Mayer Hashi' will also target rural areas where LAPM is not readily available.
Speaking at the programme, US Ambassador James F Moriarty said the US works closely with the government to achieve key health goals.
The US government, through USAID, is donating more than $40 million this year to ensure better maternal and child health care in Bangladesh.
Minister of Health Dr AFM Ruhal Haque and US Ambassador to Bangladesh James F Moriarty launched a major new health initiative Thursday called "Mayer Hashi" ("Mother's Smile").
The programme will improve women's and children's health by increasing awareness of and access to long-acting and permanent methods (LAPM) of family planning, said a press release.
The project will also raise awareness among health care workers about pregnancy-related complications allowing them to identify and treat these life-threatening conditions at an early stage.
The US Government, through USAID, is funding this $12 million programme.
According to the latest Bangladesh Demographic Survey, 62 per cent of women do not want more children, yet only seven per cent use LAPM. Mayer Hashi will work with health care providers, the Government of Bangladesh and NGOs to improve information about family planning and train professionals to provide safe LAPM service.
The programme will provide access to LAPM to five million married couples in Sylhet, Chittagong and Barisal. 'Mayer Hashi' will also target rural areas where LAPM is not readily available.
Speaking at the programme, US Ambassador James F Moriarty said the US works closely with the government to achieve key health goals.
The US government, through USAID, is donating more than $40 million this year to ensure better maternal and child health care in Bangladesh.