Gaibandha: Health experts at an orientation program have emphasized the importance of preparing a list of pregnant mothers in flood-prone pasture areas to ensure the provision of reproductive health services, including four checkups and institutional deliveries during floods.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the Directorate General of Health Services, in collaboration with LAMB Hospital and UNFPA, is working on compiling these lists to guarantee emergency reproductive health care and humanitarian assistance for pregnant mothers at flood risk in riverine char areas.
The program has seen the organization of humanitarian response awareness meetings and volunteer orientation programs in Gaibandha, Kurigram, Jamalpur, and Sirajganj districts in recent weeks, aiming to make initial preparations for this objective. Locals, particularly pregnant and lactating mothers, face significant challenges due to seasonal or flash floods in char areas along the Brahmaputra and Jamuna rivers each year.
A reproductive health care initiative led by the UNFPA and the Directorate General of Health Services, with technical support from LAMB Hospital, is operational in the region to address these challenges. Mahatab Liton, the Reproductive Maternal Neonatal Child-Adolescent Health (SRMNCAH) project manager at LAMB Hospital, highlighted related activities during the events, including mobile camps, baby kit distribution, and referral support.
Program Analyst Md Shamsuzzaman from UNFPA Bangladesh was present at the orientation program. Other key speakers included Dr. Manzur Hossain, Assistant Director (Clinical Contraception) of the Department of Family Planning for Kurigram, LAMB Project Manager Mahatab Liton, District Facilitator Md Asaduzzaman, and SRMNCAH Project Officer Mohammad Ali.
Midwives participating in the event were given guidelines for advance preparation to ensure that reproductive health services for the target population are maintained, ensuring that 24/7 normal delivery services remain uninterrupted and follow-up care is provided to high-risk pregnant mothers during disasters. Additionally, local volunteers received guidance on identifying fistula patients in char areas.