Contraceptive requirements to double in 15 years

The contraceptive users in the country has increased to 53.8 per cent in 2000 from 7.7 per cent in 1975.

"It will indeed be a great challenge to supply contraceptives to the growing number of users," said State minister for Health and Family Welfare Mizanur Rahman Sinha.

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The JSI/Deliver Bangladesh organised the discussion on 'Contraceptive Security in Bangladesh' at a city hotel.

The state minister called on the authorities, including the health ministry, the Social Marketing Company and NGOs, to play a crucial role in meeting the population's contraceptive needs.

He said the total fertility rate had not declined in the last eight years and it remained stagnant at 3.3 (per woman).

To achieve the replacement level of fertility, contraceptive prevalence rate has to be raised to at least 70 per cent, Sinha said.

"And for this, we must ensure contraceptive supply to a growing number of users that will increase to over 27 million in 2015."

Md Nurul Hossain, chief of JSI/Deliver Bangladesh, presented the keynote paper.

He noted that all concerned should work together in achieving contraceptive security.

He also emphasised the need for an accurate forecast of contraceptive requirements and coordination of financial resources.

Md Fazlur Rahman, director general of Family Planning Department, called for mass awareness campaign to achieve contraceptive security.

SM Wahiduzzaman, joint secretary of the health ministry, suggested reinvigorating long-term methods, improving market segmentation and strengthening the national supply chain management to ensure contraceptive security.