DGFP, BGMEA to provide reproductive health service to RMG workers

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was recently signed between the Directorate General of Family Planning (DGFP) and Bangladesh Garments Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) and Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA) on providing reproductive health service to RMG workers.
 
Under it DGFP would ensure contraceptive services collaboratively to support and promote access to contraceptive supplies among 4.2 million readymade female garment workers.

The signing ceremony was chaired by Md. Sohel Parves, Director (Finance) and Line Director (FP-FSD), DGFP, Shahan Ara Banu, NDC. Director General of  DGFP was present as chief guest on the occasion, said a press release. 
Dr. Vibhavendra Singh Raghuvanshi, Chief of UNFA Health wing , Bangladesh, addressed the event as the guest of honour. Special guests included Vice President of BGMEA, K.M Rafiqul Islam, Vice President of BKMEA, Fazlee Shamim Ehsan, Hasan Amin Suman, Programme Manager, FP-FSD, and Dr. Setara Rahman.

According to this MOU, DGFP will provide basic and refresher training to clinical service providers at garment factory clinics.

Additionally, training sessions will be conducted for garment workers and their supervisors, focusing on the use of contraceptive services, with special emphasis on the uptake of long-acting reversible contraceptives and permanent methods."

About 4.2 million workers are working in the readymade garment industry out of that more than 60pc are women in the sector and are in reproductive age. To ensure their comprehensive sexual and reproductive health services, they need interrupted family planning services.

This initiative will help the garment workers to choose any method according to their need and choice.
The signing ceremony marks a significant milestone in fostering public-private partnerships to address vital public health issues in Bangladesh.

The MOU underscores the commitment of the DGFP, BGMEA, and BKMEA to contribute to the well-being of the readymade garment workers by facilitating access to free contraceptives and family planning services.

DGFP will also support with imprest fund/financial assistance to clients as per DGFP rules. BGMEA and BKMEA will support DGFP to monitor the garment level commodity distribution and documentation activities and take all necessary steps for quality assurance of Family Planning service provision in the garment factories.