Policy Issues of Reproductive health in Bangladesh: Post ICPD Analysis

In response to the Plan of Action of ICPD , a shift of focus from family planning to reproductive rights and reproductive health, found in the national policies and programmes during post-ICPD era in Bangladesh. A series of policies and programmes has undertaken by the government of Bangladesh as a follow-up action, addressing the issues of reproductive health. The issues addressed in existing policies, plan and programmes are reviewed in the following themes of reproductive health: maternal morbidity and mortality, adolescent reproductive health, management of STD/RTI, IEC and advocacy. The present Policies and programme on maternal health has replicated most of the targets and objectives from the previous policies with few changes and to some extent based on the principles of ICPD,1994 and objectives of MDGs. The increasing demand maternal health services and slow pace of growth of infrastructure make a big challenge to manage maternal morbidity and mortality as early as possible in Bangladesh. Establishment of private hospitals/clinics, more emphasis to the development of skill of doctors/Nurse through training (on new health issues) than the infrastructural expansion could be the probable way to deliver better health care as early as possible.