People of 4 former enclaves get satellite clinic

The family planning (FP) department in Nilphamari yesterday launched satellite clinic service in four former enclaves in the district for enrolling eligible couples and providing logistic support and advice to them for developing planned families through birth control and maternal health care.

The four enclaves are Boro Khanki, Nagor Zigabari, Gitaldoho and Boro Khankibari Kharija Gitaldoho.

In the daylong camp, the FP officials first enrolled 130 capable couples, of whom 106 couples expressed their desire to adopt family planning methods in phases, said sources.

Jinna Begum, 30, wife of Moksed Ali, 40, of Nagor Zigabari enclave, and mother of five sons, said that she gave birth to so many children as she didn't get any opportunity to avail family planning methods.

Now she is happy as she was enrolled by Moslema Begum, a family welfare visitor (FWV) to the satellite clinic, to be sterilised in the upazila family welfare clinic next week for permanent birth control.

Laily Begum, 26, wife of Abdus Salam, 30, of Boro Khanki Kharija Gitaldoho enclave, and mother of three children, said she came secretly to Bangladesh before the enclave was merged with the main land for adopting implant method for two years birth control hiding her identity, but Bangladeshi officials refused to do so as it was illegal.

She was happy as her desire was going to be fulfilled due to the satellite clinic.

Housewives Rina, 19, and Fatima, 20, collected birth control pills, while Rozina and Laily were given Diprovera injection for temporary birth control.

While visiting the satellite clinics, this correspondent found curious couples asking the FP officials about various birth control methods and their effects on the body, if any. The FP officials were patiently answering their queries.

Many pregnant women are taking anti-natal service (before child birth) from FWVs.

"In fact, there was a festive mood all around as the couples were enthusiastic," said Mokbul Hossen, upazila family planning officer of Dimla.

Afroza Begum, deputy director of family planning department in Nilphamari, said that satellite clinics would be held in all the four former enclaves every month.

Pregnant women of the enclaves would get priority for normal delivery in nearby union family welfare centres. In case of delivery complexities, FWVs would help mothers to shift to nearby hospitals, she added.