Contraceptive supply to normalise in 2-3 months
The government expects the supply of contraceptives and essential medicines for the family planning programme to return to normal within the next two to three months, Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Husain told Parliament on Monday.
The minister said shortages of contraceptives and essential medicines had disrupted the family planning programme over the past three years, as supplies fell somewhat short of demand.
He was responding to a question from BNP lawmaker Md Shamsur Rahman Shimul Biswas of Pabna-5 on the government’s plans to revitalise family planning activities at the grassroots level.
Sakhawat said the government had taken several measures since assuming office to restore supplies and make the family planning programme more effective while ensuring uninterrupted essential services.
The procurement of contraceptives, essential medical supplies and medicines is now at an almost final stage, he said, adding that efforts are underway to complete the process and distribute the supplies quickly at the field level.
The minister said human resource development, public health protection, expansion and modernisation of medical and nursing education, and healthcare at all levels were among the government’s key priorities. The Health Ministry has adopted a comprehensive action plan under the prime minister’s leadership, he added.
The Directorate General of Family Planning is formulating and implementing strategies in line with the government’s election manifesto, the national population policy and Bangladesh’s commitments to the Sustainable Development Goals.
According to the minister, the directorate provides client-centred family planning services, counselling and information on maternal and child health, reproductive health, adolescent health and nutrition from the national to grassroots levels.
Services are provided through three specialised national facilities – the Maternal and Child Health Training Institute in Azimpur, Mohammadpur Fertility Services and Training Centre, and Maternal and Child Health Training Institute in Mirpur – as well as Mother and Child Welfare Centres and Union Health and Family Welfare Centres at district, upazila and union levels.
Home visits, satellite clinics and community meetings are also part of the service network.
A school health education programme is being conducted in secondary schools nationwide to help prevent child marriage and adolescent pregnancy and raise awareness of adolescent health issues, Sakhawat said.
The directorate has 1,549 approved entry-level posts for Medical Officer (MCH-FP), of which 807 are currently vacant, the minister said.
Proposals have been sent to the Bangladesh Public Service Commission seeking recommendations to appoint 441, 49, 138 and 48 medical officers through the 45th, 46th, 47th and 50th BCS examinations respectively.
The directorate is also assessing manpower needs across different grades and working to secure clearance to fill vacant positions.
On recruitment to 1,080 Family Welfare Visitor posts, Sakhawat said four cases were pending before the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court. Three had already been decided against the government, while Civil Petition for Leave to Appeal No. 3/26 remained pending.
Further action would be taken after the case is resolved, he added.
Sakhawat also said recruitment for Sub-Assistant Community Medical Officer and Pharmacist posts at Union Health and Family Welfare Centres would begin once the proposed Family Planning Directorate Non-Cadre Employee Recruitment Rules, 2024 are finalised.
