GAIBANDHA, Dec 19, 2023 (BSS)- Speakers in a function here underscored the

need for providing healthcare services to the pregnant mothers to reduce
child and maternal mortality rate during the period of disaster caused by
climate change.

"Due to geographical location, four upazilas out of seven of the district are
located in the disaster prone areas. Every year, Sundarganj, Sadar, Fulchhari
and Saghata upazilas of the district experiences natural calamity called
flood, cold wave creating untold sufferings to the people. The condition of
pregnant mothers becomes miserable during the emergencies. In that time, an
extra health care service should be ensured for them to ensure their safe
delivery," they said.

The speakers made the comments while addressing a concluding ceremony of two-
day refresher training on "Minimum Initial Service Package (MISP)", at the
conference room of three Candles Restaurant on the bank of Ghagot river of
the town this afternoon.

LAMB Hospital, World Mission Prayer League, arranged the training under
UNFPA's FRRei project.
 
Developing Capacity of healthcare providers with MISP for sexual and
reproductive health during the emergencies was the objective of the training.

Civil Surgeon Dr. Abdullahel Mafi addressed the ceremony as the chief guest
and Superintendent of Gaibandha Modern Hospital Dr. Mahbubur Rahman spoke at
the event as special guest.

Deputy Director of Department of Women affairs here Nargis Jahan, Health and
Family Planning Officer of Sadullapur upazila Dr. Shahinul Islam Mondal,
Field Officer of UNFPA here Dr. Shaheen Akhtar, District SRHR Officer Dr.
Shamima Sultana, District Coordinator of LAMB Shariful Islam and Journalist
Sarker Mohammad Shahiduzzaman spoke at the function, among others.

The speakers underlined the need bringing down the maternal and infant
mortality rate to 70 from current 156 per lakh to achieve the Sustainable
Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030.

Earlier, Deputy Director of Department of Family Planning Prosenjeet Pronoy
Mishra formally inaugurated the training on Monday as the chief guest.
 
A good number of staff of health and family planning department, mid wives,
medical officers, social workers participated in the training.