Contraceptive supply to normalise within 2-3 months: Minister

The government expects the supply situation 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 today (7 September).

Replying to a question from BNP lawmaker Md Shamsur Rahman Shimul Biswas of Pabna-5 on whether the government has any plan to revitalise the country's flagging grassroots family planning activities, the minister said the supply of contraceptives and necessary medicines has fallen somewhat short of demand over the past three years, temporarily disrupting the programme.

Since taking office, the present government has taken a number of effective measures to normalise the supply of contraceptives and medical supplies with a view to making the family planning programme more dynamic and ensuring uninterrupted essential services for the public, he said.

The procurement process for contraceptives, essential medical supplies and medicines is now at almost the final stage, and efforts are underway to complete the process and ensure swift distribution at field level, the minister added.

Human resource development, protection of public health, expansion and modernisation of medical and nursing education, and ensuring healthcare at all levels remain among the government's key priorities, he said, adding that the health ministry, under the prime minister's leadership, has adopted a comprehensive action plan in this regard.

The Directorate of Family Planning is currently formulating and implementing strategies in line with the government's election manifesto, Bangladesh's population policy and its commitments to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Sakhawat said.

He said the directorate is providing client-centred services, counselling and information on family planning, maternal and child health, reproductive health, adolescent health and nutrition, from the national to the grassroots level.

These services are delivered through three specialised national hospitals – the Maternal and Child Health Training Institute in Azimpur, the Mohammadpur Fertility Services and Training Centre, and the 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, alongside home visits, satellite clinics and community meetings, the minister said.

A school health education programme is also being run in secondary schools across the country to curb child marriage and adolescent pregnancy and to raise awareness of adolescent health issues, he said.

On efforts to tackle staff shortages, Sakhawat said the directorate has 1,549 approved entry-level posts for Medical Officer (MCH-FP), of which 807 remained vacant.

Proposals have been sent to the Bangladesh Public Service Commission (PSC), seeking recommendations to appoint 441, 49, 138 and 48 medical officers respectively through the 45th, 46th, 47th and 50th BCS examinations, he said.

The directorate is also assessing manpower requirements across various grades and working to obtain clearance to fill existing vacant posts, the minister said.

Regarding recruitment to 1,080 posts of Family Welfare Visitor, he said four cases are pending before the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court, three of which have already been decided against the government. One petition–Civil Petition for Leave to Appeal No. 3/26 – remains pending, and further action will be taken once it is resolved, he added.

Sakhawat further said once the proposed "Family Planning Directorate Non-Cadre Employee Recruitment Rules, 2024" are finalised, recruitment will begin for the posts of Sub-Assistant Community Medical Officer and Pharmacist at Union Health and Family Welfare Centres.