Family planning is one of the priority activities of the current government. However, for the last three-four months, there has been a crisis in the government stock of birth control materials at the upazila level. Of these, 349 upazila stores do not have any condoms. And 105 upazila stores do not have food pills (Sukhi-Apan). No injection in 298 upazila stores. Although several letters have been sent to the relevant ministries and departments to resolve the crisis, there is no visible progress.
It has been found that in more than half of the country’s upazilas, condoms, food pills and injections are near zero. The same is the case with stocks of maternal and child health medicines. As a result, there is a fear that the common people of the country will be deprived of this urgent service.
By reviewing the government stock of these items at the upazila level, it can be seen that there are no condoms in 349 upazila stores, the stock will be empty in 97 upazilas very soon. 22 upazila stores have minimum stock. 38 upazila stores have no food pills (sukhi), 105 upazila stores will run out of stock very quickly and 207 upazila stores have minimum stock. 67 upazila stores have no food pills (Apan), 102 upazila stores will run out of stock very quickly and 99 upazila stores have minimum stock. 298 upazila stores have no injection, 155 upazila stores will run out of stock very quickly and 33 upazila stores have minimum stock.
Besides, it can be seen in the case of DDS kit, one of the tools of mother and child services, there is no DDS kit in 476 upazila stores. 16 upazila stores will run out of stock very quickly. And two upazila stores have minimum stock. And the stock of general delivery kit required for normal delivery is over in 375 upazila stores, 19 stores will be empty very soon. And 27 upazila stores have minimum stock.
Usually 22 types of medicines and medical supplies are given free of charge to mothers and children at upazila health centers. Such drugs and medical supplies are called DDS Kits (Drug and Dietary Supplement Kits).
According to the sources of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, ADP implementation progress review meeting was held on November 30 last year. It was chaired by the Secretary of Health Education and Family Welfare Department. Azizur Rahman. He expressed his displeasure as the purchase plan of these items was not approved as per the instructions at that time. At the same time, he approved the plan and instructed to start the procurement process by December 15 last year.
Then Director (Finance) and Line Director Sohail Parvez informed the ministry about the rationale of purchasing birth control materials from the management (revenue) budget under the Directorate of Family Planning.
It is said that, currently, 1 crore 6 lakh couples out of 29 million able-bodied couples across the country take birth control pills. Which is 37 percent. Besides, about 21 lakh, i.e. 8 percent of the same number of couples use condoms. And among 42 lakh able-bodied couples, 15 percent take injectables. It is advisable to have adequate stocks of contraceptives to meet this demand.
Besides, after January 31, 2023, the use of stored injectables at various stages will be unusable. It will take about 4-5 months to complete the procurement process following PPR through allocated funds. On the other hand, it will take a maximum of 2 months to complete the procurement process funded by the operating (revenue) budget.
Besides, Sohail Parvez mentioned in a demand letter sent to the Ministry, under the operating (revenue) budget for the fiscal year 2023-24, it has been proposed to purchase 50.00 million pieces of condoms worth Tk 1500.00 lakh and 5.00 million vial injectables of Tk 2500.00 lakh. Besides, under the FP-FSD operational plan, it is proposed to purchase 6.00 million vial injectables worth Tk 3000.00 lakh, 27.00 million pieces of condoms worth Tk 810.00 lakh and 48.00 million food pills worth Tk 24000.00 lakh.
According to the Family Planning Directorate, the stock of condoms at the field level service providers has decreased at an abnormal rate. Failure to ensure timely supply of condoms will seriously hamper the ongoing process of the programme.
In this regard, the Secretary of Health Education and Family Welfare Department. Azizur Rahman told Jago News that the purchase process of family planning materials will be completed soon. We have approved this long ago. In the case of procurement plan, it has been seen that procurement is being done from two places including the revenue sector. I gave the option to buy from one place. The option they gave was approved long ago. Its activities are ongoing.
AAM/ZH/JIM
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