A discussion and award distribution ceremony was held by Chattogram Divisional and District Family Planning Office (FPO) on World Population Day.
The programme was held at district Shilpakala auditorium on Thursday.
Golam Md Azam, Director of Family Planning Office of Chattogram Division, presided over the programme. Medical Officer of Karnafuli Upazila Family Planning Office Dr Shoma Chowdhury and Family Planning Officer of Double Mooring Thana Lixon Chowdhury jointly moderated the programme.
Chattogram Divisional Commissioner Md Tofayel Islam spoke at the programme as the chief guest.
He said that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is working to increase various training and the efficiency to use various technologies. The participation of women in government and private jobs alongside the men has increased under the leadership of the Prime Minister. Planned population is one of the main tools to build the smart Bangladesh in 2041. The population needs to be converted into manpower to do that. Besides, everyone needs to become responsible to build a healthy and strong nation. He said that whether a boy or girl, not to conceive more than two children, and one child is better. He said the family planning service based on equality has to be accelerated in order to control the population.
Before the discussion, the Divisional Commissioner inaugurated the programme by releasing balloons, pigeon and through a rally. The chief guest and other guests accorded commemoration-crests and certificates under 10 categories on district and divisional level for special contribution in family planning services, institutional delivery and other services to a total of 20 workers and institutions.
Officers and staff members of Family Planning Office, private development organization Mamata, BRAC, Family Planning Association of Bangladesh (FPAB), Marie Stopes, BAVS, Image, Nishkriti, Institute of Child and Mother Health, Bonophul, Reproductive Health Service and Training Programme (RHSTEP), Chayapath and Ghashful were present in the programme.
The Divisional Commissioner said half of the population of Bangladesh is women. Maternal and infant mortality rates have decreased and per capita income has increased due to working tirelessly to increase awareness about family planning and the healthcare of pregnant mothers. He said that development work has to be continued with the assistance of every person in the country. Then today’s Bangladesh will be developed into the future smart Bangladesh planned by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
The other guests said that the participation of every woman is crucial to reconstruct the developed and wealthy smart Bangladesh. They said that we have to be more sincere to ensure the overall security of women. Logistic support has to be increased, along with development and modernization of infrastructure, to accelerate family planning service more. Modern and smart public health management activities are being conducted in the country now. Everyone needs to increase their performance due to that. Safe delivery service and post-delivery services need to be accelerated.
The speakers also said that the quality of service at the Directorate General of Family Planning has become better despite the crisis of manpower and equipment. They said this quality needs to be continued, along with raising the rate of institutional delivery and ensuring the health care of service recipient. Moreover, policies need to be taken regarding how they can adapt plans to provide safe services on field level. They said success will definitely come if standard family planning services can be ensured.
Deputy Director of Chattogram Family Planning Mohammad Abul Kalam, Additional Deputy Inspector General of Chattogram Range Shahjada Mohammad Asaduzzaman, Deputy Director of Chattogram Directorate General of Health Service Dr Iftakhar Ahmad, Acting Deputy Commissioner Abdul Malek, and Additional Superintendent of Police of Chattogram district A.N.M. Wasim Feroz was present in the meeting as special guests. Assistant Director of Chattogram District Family Planning Office Nazmul Hasan presented the overall activities of Chattogram District Family Planning Office using multimedia platform.
Dr Seheli Nargis, Assistant Director (Clinical Contraception) of Chattogram District Family Planning Office, Swapna Talukdar, senior director of private development organization Mamata and Dr S M Emdad Ullah, medical officer of BAVS spoke at that time.
