The essential sexual and reproductive health care rights are constrained by the Covid-19 overdose. Model Youth Parlament and Global Platform ActionAid Bangladesh have taken initiative to model Union Health and Family Welfare Center in improving the quality of health services for the youth.
A workshop has been held in Charbaria Union of Barisal Sadar Upazila with the members of Adolescent Health Care Management and Coordination Committee to implement the initiative.
Union Parishad Chairman Md Mahatab Hossain Suruj was the chief guest at the workshop held at Charbaria Union Health and Family Welfare Center on Saturday (September 18). Hasina Begum, president of the Union Parishad Standing Committee on Health, presided over the function, which was attended by 15 members. Among others, the chairperson of the symbolic youth parliament Md. Aminul Islam (Firoz Mostafa), Sub Assistant Community Medical Officer Dr. Molina Rani Baral, UP member Rehena Begum and others spoke. The workshop was conducted by Sohanur Rahman, Executive Chief of Pratiki Youth Parliament.
During the discussion, the speakers said that the government has many commendable initiatives in improving the quality of sexual and reproductive health services for the youth. But Corona Atimari has created a new challenge. So in many cases, it is not enough to just make laws and policies. Proper implementation of laws and policies is possible only through coordination among government agencies and accountability of service providers.
UP member Musa Rehna Begum said they work to stop child marriages but parents take their daughters to relatives’ homes in other areas and marry them. Many girls have got married in Corona. Therefore, he thinks that there is a need to organize more awareness sessions for the parents of adolescents, and also to give importance to family planning.
Adolescent representative Adhara Shah Athai said their school’s satellite clinic was closed during the Corona period. Since they were able to come to the school to submit assignments in Corona, they could have attended the session once a week. He also said that there is a lack of implementation of the law in the case of child marriage. Although his girlfriend sought legal help to stop the child marriage, the police administration did not take the matter seriously.
Dr. Molina Rani Baral, Sub-Assistant Community Medical Officer, said that the health center is open 24 hours a day for maternity health services. Health services were running even during the coronal lockdown. Although the patient’s pressure is high, there is not enough manpower. Additional manpower is essential to ensure better sexual and reproductive health care for adolescents.
Md. Mahtab Hossain Suruj, Chairperson of Adolescent Health Care Management and Coordination Committee, said that regular health services are provided to adolescents at Charbaria Union Health and Family Planning Center. However, the number of teenagers coming for services is very low. So he thinks their committee needs to do a lot more.
To establish Charbaria Union Health and Family Welfare Center as a model health service center for the youth, strengthen the Adolescent Health Care Management and Coordination Committee as per the government notification and organize awareness sessions with the adolescents to establish sexual and reproductive rights of the youth during the Kovid period. This initiative has been taken.
