15 lakh women, children to get healthcare services

The ACCESS programme, a USAID-sponsored global programme, will be implemented at seven upazilas in Sylhet district in five years in collaboration with ICDDRB and two local NGOs Shimantik and FIVDB.

Under the programme, at least 15 lakh women and children will be provided with health care services at different stages of maternal and neonatal health in Golapganj, Bishwanath, Balaganj, Fenchuganj, Companyganj, Jaintapur and Gowainghat.

A two-day Intervention Design Workshop also began at the Spectra Convention Centre in the city following the launching of ACCESS programme.

Save the Children-USA and Directorate General of Health Services under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare jointly organised the workshop.

In her welcome address Dr Lubna Ahmed, programme manager of ACCESS, said the overall objective of the programme is to increase the practice of healthy maternal and neonatal behaviours in antenatal, childbirth and postnatal periods in a sustainable manner.

Community mobilisation, action and demand for practice of healthy maternal and neonatal behaviours are at the heart of the ACCESS programme, she said, adding, "Community advocacy would play a significant role in service delivery."

Sylhet was selected for the ACCESS programme as the access of maternal and newborn care is poor in the district for geographical position, said concerned sources.

Moreover, national level surveys show that under-five mortality rate is 50 percent higher in the district than others, the sources told The Daily Star.

While explaining the objectives of the workshop Dr Nizam Ahmed of Save the Children-USA said it will focus on developing technical issues and strategies for delivering messages at household level.

He said experts from the government, UN agencies and implementing partners will identify strategy for linkage of ACCESS programme and clinical services in the target areas.

Prof Dr Shahadat Hossain, director general of the Directorate General of Health Services under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare was present as chief guest at the inaugural session.

ACCESS Director Dr Koki Agarwal and Nahed Mattra of USAID Washington also spoke on the occasion.