Staff Reporter, Habiganj //

There is a shortage of birth control materials in family planning departments in Habiganj district. The stock of condoms and diet pills at the family planning office can last for a month. After that the field workers cannot deliver this product. As a result, the birth rate in remote areas will increase conscious people are worried. The same situation prevails in eight upazilas.

Experts say that the situation is happening because the top officials of the government office are not paying attention to this issue. Field workers typically distribute five types of birth control materials to couples. Among these, condoms and diet pills are the most popular. And for long-term control, IUDs, injectables and implants are given.

It is known from the website of the Directorate of Family Planning that 4 lakh 12 thousand couples are provided with birth control products in Habiganj district every year.
Family planning office. Out of this, 38.25 percent of food pills have been supplied in August. Condom 6.36 percent, injection 10.64 percent, IUD 2.78 percent, implant 6.31 percent. Food pills only have 910 leaves in Chunarughat, 70 leaves in Madhavpur and 240 leaves in Nabiganj. There is no stock in the rest of the upazilas. The stock of IUDs, injectables and implants will be manageable. Besides, they said that they can be supplied from Sylhet.

The director general of the department is empowered to spend from the revenue budget to ensure the supply of contraceptives. However last year the ministry blocked the exercise of that power. As a result, the department could not use the revenue budget at the time of need.

On the other hand, to buy from the development budget, the process takes several months from start to finish. Tenders were invited on February 28 this year to purchase birth control products from the development budget. The tender was evaluated on March 7. Directorate of Family Planning canceled the tender without awarding the work to the lowest and qualified bidder. After that, various parties filed complaints at several places and filed a case in the High Court. That tangle has not yet opened. Experts say unplanned pregnancies will increase if contraceptives are not provided on time in remote areas. Maternal mortality rate may also increase with this. International commitments to reduce unmet needs and maternal mortality to zero by 2030 will be difficult to meet, experts say.