DHAKA, Sept 16, 2018 (BSS) – Rabeya Momo, a class nine student of Sadar upazila of Bhola district, didn’t attend her classes for one week. Her friends were worried. They were thinking what may happen to Momo.
Finally, two friends of Momo decided to visit her home. They went to Momo’s residence and talked to her. Momo informed them that she was panicked as she experienced her first menstrual period.
The friends suggested Momo to go to the ‘Adolescent-friendly Health Services’ at Bhola Sadar Hospital. Accordingly, Momo went there.
“I was panicked during my first menstrual period. I didn’t go to school at the time of my periods. I could not share it with anybody, even my mother. Later, two of my friends suggested me to go to the health service center. They give me advice. Now, I can attend my school regularly. I’m very happy,” Momo said,
The Awami League government is relentlessly working to reach the health services to the doorsteps of all. To make the services affordable, the government is setting up many hospitals and health service centers across the country along with community clinics in the rural areas. Bangladesh is now a role model before the world for ensuring health services in the remote areas.
Along with the government, different national and international non-government organizations (NGOs) are also working in the health sector.
As part of this process, the government, in association with UNICEF, introduced ‘Adolescent-Friendly Health Services’ at Bhola Sadar Hospital, Upazila Health Complex and Union Health Service Centers.
In the centers, the adolescents can avail of different health services including nutrition, what to do during periods, cleanliness, bad impacts of early marriages and other issues.
Many adolescents, both boys and girls, are getting benefits from the centers. The Adolescent-Friendly Health Services is now mostly popular in different areas of Bhola district.
Fifteen-year-old boy Shyamol Dhor said, “Earlier, I felt shy to talk to anyone. I had no friend. Even, no one called me to play with. I was worried. My parents were also worried about my behavior. Later, I came to the health center with my mother.”
“In one month, I went there about 21 days for advice. Now, my behavior has changed a lot. I’ve several friends in my locality and in the school,” he added.
Another beneficiary Rupa Akther of the same upazila said, “A few months back, one of my relatives gave a marriage proposal for me to my father. My rickshaw-puller father accepted the proposal as he faces hardship to maintain a seven-member family with a very limited income. But I was panicked. I want to continue my studies. Later, I decided to go to the center with one of my school friends for help. They helped me and informed the local administration to stop the early marriage. The administration took steps to this end. Now, I’m continuing my studies.”
Khadiza, one of supervisors of the centers, said around 10-15 girls are taking advice from each center every day. Now the number is increasing day by day.
“We advice them how to use sanitary napkins during periods, about the risks during the adolescent time, nutrition, reproductive health of girls and other issues they want to know,” she added.
Khadiza said the time of adolescence is most important period for boys and girls. Therefore, the health centers are working for them to ensure their better life.
In the first phase, the centers have been introduced at three upazilas. Later, it will be opened at other upazilas of Bhola district.
Sources said the health services will be introduced at all health centers across the country in phases.