Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) Working Group Coordination Meeting Held in Kurigram to Strengthen Post-Flood Reproductive Healthcare Services

 Kurigram Correspondent 27May 2025 :- A special meeting of the Sexual Reproductive Health Working Group was held on Monday evening, May 26, at the Terre des Hommes Foundation (TDH) in Kurigram to ensure emergency reproductive health services during and after the floods.

This meeting was organized with the support of Lamb Hospital Parbatipur and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) to ensure maternal and newborn healthcare during floods and disasters in Kurigram district.

The meeting was attended by the Chief Guest, Additional Director General (Planning and Development) of the Directorate General of Health Services, Professor Sheikh Saidul Haque. Kurigram Civil Surgeon Dr. Swapan Kumar Biswas presided over the meeting.

Among others present were Kurigram General Hospital Superintendent Dr. Md. Shahidullah, Family Planning Department Deputy Director Md. Modabber Hossain, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Bangladesh Program Analyst Md. Shamsuzzaman, UNICEF Health Manager Dewan Mohammad Emdadul Haque, and SRMNCH Project Manager Mahatab Liton.

Md. Shamsuzzaman, Program Analyst of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), presented a power point on maternal and reproductive health services at the meeting. He said, "A more advanced plan has been taken in continuation of the activities that the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and LAMB have conducted in the past on how to ensure services during floods and disasters."

The chief guest said in his speech, "Pregnant mothers and newborns are most at risk in natural disasters like floods. Ensuring their healthcare is of utmost importance. I thank LAMB, UNFPA, and UNICEF for such a humanitarian plan."

Deputy Director of the Family Planning Department Md. Modabber Hossain said, "At least 4 checkups during pregnancy must be ensured to increase institutional deliveries. Field-level officials must be active during the flood."

UNICEF Health Manager Dewan Mohammad Emdadul Haque said, “The Health and Family Planning Department is working sincerely to ensure reproductive health services, which will help improve the health indicators of the district.”

In his speech as the president, Civil Surgeon Dr. Swapan Kumar Biswas said, “It is difficult to provide reproductive health services in the reality of flood-affected districts. However, the coordinated efforts of national and international development agencies make our work easier.” He instructed field-level officials to work in coordination with NGOs and INGOs.

The meeting was attended by all the Upazila Health and Family Planning Officers of the district, Medical Officers (Gynaecologists), Medical Technologists, BRAC, Friendship, other members of the Sexual Reproductive Health (SRH) Working Group and representatives of various development agencies.

The participants in the meeting expressed their views and suggestions to make healthcare activities more effective during and after the flood.