Gaibandha: The Directorate General of Health Services, in collaboration with LAMB Hospital and UNFPA, is actively preparing to provide emergency reproductive health care and humanitarian assistance to pregnant mothers at risk of flooding in char areas.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, a series of humanitarian response awareness meetings and volunteer orientation programs were conducted over the past four days in the districts of Gaibandha, Kurigram, Jamalpur, and Sirajganj. These initiatives aim to address the severe impacts seasonal and flash floods have on locals, particularly pregnant and lactating mothers, living along the Brahmaputra and Jamuna rivers.
Since 2019, a reproductive health care program has been in operation as a joint initiative by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the Directorate General of Health Services, with technical support from LAMB Hospital. This program focuses on providing essential services such as mobile health camps, distribution of baby kits, and referral support to those in need.
Mahatab Liton, Project Manager of the Reproductive Maternal Neonatal Child-Adolescent Health (SRMNCAH) Project at LAMB Hospital, emphasized the importance of these reproductive health activities during the events. The programs were coordinated by LAMB Monitoring and Documentation Coordinator Abu Ibn Al Asad, alongside district facilitators Monjuara Begum, Ruhul Amin Mridha, and Sariful Islam.
In addition, sixty volunteers received guidance on identifying fistula patients in the char areas. In Kurigram, Civil Surgeon Dr. Swapan Kumar Biswas highlighted the necessity of listing pregnant mothers in flood-prone areas, ensuring they receive four necessary checkups, and facilitating their institutional delivery during floods.
Md Modabber Hossain, Deputy Director of the Family Planning Department in Kurigram, mentioned that efforts are ongoing to compile a list of pregnant mothers in eight unions of Nageshwari, Ulipur, Chilmari, and Sadar upazilas. In Gaibandha, UNFPA Field Officer Dr. Shahin Akhter played a key role in facilitating the programs, with support from Gaibandha Family Planning Department Deputy Director Md Tariqul Islam, who stressed the significance of preparations for ensuring safe deliveries and emergency healthcare during floods.