Dissemination Meeting on National Plan of Action for the Adolescent

DHAKA, Dec. 14 (nsnewswire) — MCH Services Unit of the Directorate General of Family Planning, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare had organized a dissemination seminar on “National Plan of Action for the Adolescent Sexual & Reproductive Health” on Saturday, 14 December 2013 at the Bangabandhu International Conference Center (BICC). The meeting was chaired by the Dr. Mohammad Sharif, Director (MCH Services) and Line Director (MCRAH). Mr. M.M. Neazuddin, Secretary, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare was grace the occasion as the Chief Guest. M.N. Badruddoza, Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Director General of Family Planning AKM Amir Hossain and UNFPA Representative to Bangladesh Ms. Argentina P. Matavel Piccin were present as the Special Guests. Officials from different Government, Non-Government and Development Parters were present at the Occasion. Keynote speaker was Dr. Shimul Koli Hossain, Assistant Director of Directorate General of Family Planning Who had presented the National Plan of Action before the audience.

Health Secretary said, the Government of Bangladesh has identified adolescent sexual and reproductive health as a priority and has incorporated this issue in two operational plans of the current Health, Population and Nutrition Sector Development Program (2011-2016).

Addition Secretary Mr. Badruddoza said high adolescent fertility is a great concern for our country. Most of the teen age marriages are take place because of poverty and failure to establish secure environment in the society especially in the rural areas.

Director General of DGFP said in his speech, The National Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health Plan of Action is an important milestone in the Government’s effort to strengthen adolescent sexual and reproductive health.

UNFPA Representative, Bangladesh said that UNFPA is working for the improvement of Adolescent Sexual & Reproductive Health for long. She expressed her gratitude to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare for finishing the important task of developing then National Plan of Action on ASRH.

Director, MCH Services all governmental, non-governmental and international organizations who are working for adolescents in this country are able to work from a common platform following this Action Plan.

Dr. Shimul Koli Hossain said, this action plan has defined major activities, implementing mechanisms, performance indicators and the target groups in six key areas of intervention on Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health as enunciated in Adolescent Reproductive Health Strategies.