UNFPA provides Bangladesh health centers reproductive health kits

The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has provided life-saving reproductive health kits to Bangladesh health centres in the most severely flood-affected communities.

UNFPA Representative Argentina Matavel Piccin Wednesday handed over 110 life-saving reproductive health kits to Bangladesh's Family Planning Director General Mohamad Wahid Hossain.

These kits will be distributed to health centres in the most severely flood-affected communities and contain vital medical supplies and equipment to ensure that 5,000 women can deliver their babies under safe conditions, said UNFPA in a statement.

Mohamad Wahid Hossain thanked UNFPA for the kits, saying "These kits will contribute to the government's ongoing efforts to save the lives of mothers and children in the worst affected areas."

According to UNFPA statement, the monsoon-induced floods have affected as many as 2.7 million people in the five hardest hit regions alone, including 715,000 girls and women of reproductive age.

An estimated 24,000 women are currently pregnant and in need of quality maternal and newborn care, as about 12,700 are due to deliver their babies in the next three months, requiring skilled birth attendants and medical supplies, it said.

UNFPA said it is, therefore, preparing the deployment of certified midwives to the hardest hit regions once funding is secured.

Already more than 1000 girls and women have received UNFPA dignity kits, which include essential sanitary and hygiene products, and allow girls and women to access relief services and participate in public life, it added. Endit