Photo: BSS

RANGPUR, Dec 2, 2025 (BSS) – At an advocacy meeting today, experts called on government and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to engage concerted efforts to ensure safe motherhood and reduce maternal and infant mortality. 

They laid special emphasis on expanding family planning programmes to every able-bodied couple by creating awareness to control the population growth rate, which has become an essential element in building a healthy nation.
 
The Rangpur Divisional Family Planning Department (FPD) office organised the event at its conference room before observing the ‘Family Welfare Service and Publicity Week-2025’ from December 6 to December 11 next. 

Additional Divisional Commissioner of Rangpur division Md Abdul Motaleb Sarkar attended the meeting as the chief guest with Rangpur Divisional Family Planning Department Director Dewan Morshed Kamal in the chair.

Deputy Director of the District Family Planning Department Md Saiful Islam delivered the welcome speech at the meeting. 

The chief guest said that healthy mothers are essential in building a healthier nation. A healthy mother brings up a happy child.
 
“If we can ensure the good health of women and safe motherhood, it is possible to reduce maternal mortality and child mortality to a large extent,” he said. 

He said that the main objective of observance of the week is to bring about a positive change in people's attitudes towards family planning, maternal and child healthcare, nutrition and safe motherhood. 

“During this time, special advice and services will be provided in all union family welfare centers and maternal and child hospitals on providing family planning, maternal and child health and adolescent health services,” he said. 

He called on the government and NGO representatives to play a responsible role in the smooth conduct of the week. 

Dewan Morshed Kamal said that the Family Planning Department has been operating health and family welfare centers, ensuring the supply and use of contraceptive methods, maternal and child healthcare and other important services related to reproductive health. 
 
“This Family Welfare Service and Publicity Week- 2025 will play a helpful role in bringing dynamism to the ongoing work and increasing public awareness,” he hoped. 

Rangpur Civil Surgeon Dr Shaheen Sultana, Rangpur City College Principal Professor Md Borhan Uddin, Rangpur Divisional Deputy Director (Health) Dr Md Wazed Ali, Additional Superintendent of Police Md Joynal Abedin, among others, delivered speeches as special guests. 
 
Government officials, various upazila and district level doctors and NGO representatives were present at the event.