Awareness improves health indexes in Rangpur division

Growing public awareness following digitisation and comprehensive government efforts continues reducing maternal and neonatal deaths, child marriage and waterborne diseases improving health indexes in Rangpur division.

Rural people are adopting family planning methods and arranging marriage of their sons and daughters at the right ages with registration and using safe drinking water, constantly improving in health indexes on the way to achieve the SDGs on time.

Officials and experts said the prospect of achieving the sustainable development goals (SDGs) has become a reality now with reduction in maternal and neonatal deaths, social curses and waterborne diseases with growing awareness among rural people.

Deputy Director of the District Department of Family Planning (DFP) of Rangpur Dr Sheikh Md Saidul Islam said able couples have now become more aware of adopting various methods for birth control.

“As a result of increasing adoption of birth control methods following massive awareness raising publicities, the rate of menstrual regularization (MR) has reduced to almost zero level in the district,” he said.

Union Health and Family Welfare Centres (UHFWCs), Community Clinics, Union Digital Centers (UDCs), field level workers of DFP and other health service providing organisations are largely contributing to achieving the successes.

“As a result, rural people are easily getting information and services on child marriage, marriage registration, safe motherhood, safe pregnancy and delivery, maternal and neonatal health services, hygiene, sanitation and safe drinking water,” he said.

Director of Rangpur District Information Office ASM Kabir said the District Information Offices are raising public awareness involving community leaders, public representatives, teachers and religious leaders on the issues of health, hygiene, sanitation, women and children.

“Because of comprehensive awareness building activities being conducted by different government departments and health service facilities, the extent of social courses is reducing to improve health indexes in rural areas,” Kabir added.

Chairman of Rangpur-based research organisation Northbengal Institute of Development Studies Dr Syed Samsuzzaman said rural women have been showing interest in marriage registration, family planning, safe motherhood and education of their daughters.