HOME
BACKGROUND
MISSION
ORGANIZATION
ACTIVITIES
FUTURE
CONTACT

 
     

 

CURRENT ACTIVITIES OF BAPSA

Reproductive Health Care Services & Prevention of Unsafe Abortion and complication Management

The main components of the project are:

  • Maintaining training liaison for M.R. Training;
  • Facilitating the distribution of M.R. equipment;
  • Quality Care of M.R. Services;
  • BCC Activities for the front line FP and Health workers on prevention of unsafe abortion;
  • Adolescent Health Education on Prevention of unsafe Abortion; and
  • Reproductive Health Care Services.

Reproductive Health Clinic of BAPSA

In April 1991, BAPSA established a Model Reproductive Health Clinic (MRHC-1), and then MRHC-2 in Dhaka in 1998, and a Rural Reproductive Health Center (RRHC) in Begumgonj, Noakhali, in 1997. MRHC-2 is established on a land provided by the government to serve as a national referral center for treatment of septic abortions.
The services provided by the clinics are:

  • Prevention and management of unwanted pregnancy (M.R.) and of abortion complication;
  • Post abortion care;
  • Family.planning services and counseling;
  • Antenatal care;
  • Postnatal care;
  • T.T. for mothers;
  • Child health care;
  • Management of RTI/STD;
  • Treatment of gynecological problems;
  • Immunization;
  • Counseling on HIV/AIDS;
  • Adolescent reproductive health education /services;
  • Ultra-sonogram/Pathological services; and
  • Counseling services on health and sexuality at clinic and BCC activities at the community level.

The above mentioned activities are funded by SIDA.

Urban Primary Health Care Project (UPHCP)

The Urban Primary Health Care Project (UPHCP) initiated by the Bangladesh Government through the Ministry of LGRD&C is being operated by the City Corporation. The purpose is to improve the health of urban poor by guaranteeing their access to health services and improving the ways in which such health services are to be provided in urban areas. In November. 2001, BAPSA was awarded the responsibility of UPHCP in partnership Area-3 which consists of wards 58, 59, 60, 63, 64 and 65, Kamrangir Char, and Nawab Char covering a population of about 400,000. This area is situated in the south-western strip of Dhaka City. The area has several tanneries and the population inhabiting the area is mostly poverty stricken. The activities are carried out through 9 Primary Health Care Centers and one Comprehensive Reproductive Health Care Center (Maternity Center), The project activities are funded by ADB, UNFPA, NDF and the Government of Bangladesh.
Six essential services as provided relate to the following:

  • Reproductive Health Care;
  • Child Health Care;
  • Limited Curative Care;
  • Treatment of Common Illness;
  • Communicable diseases; and
  • Violence against Women.

The project provides the mentioned services through qualified and experienced doctors at minimal service charges fixed by the City Corporation. For the ultra poor, there exists a safety net provision. At the maternity center, deliveries both normal and Caesarian are conducted at low cost.


Adolescents Reproductive Health Care Project

During the last five years, BAPSA also provided adolescents' reproductive health care services in order to enable the adolescents to understand reproductive health, nutrition, personal hygiene, and offers need-based health services. For behaviour change, various communication methods such as counseling, group discussions, court-yards sittings and meetings with the door-keepers at the clinic and community people are being carried out.

Since January, 2002, with the financial support of the BPHC, BAPSP is implementing an Adolescents Reproductive Health Care Project in Begumgonj, Noakhali. The objectives are to create awareness on reproductive health, through BCC and to provide reproductive health services for adolescents through an adolescent friendly clinic. The expected coverage is 10,000 rural adolescents.

Publication of M. R. Newsletter

Due to religious and political reasons, the mass-media is hesitant to publicize abortion related messages. Considering this constraint, BAPSA publishes quarterly M.R. Newsletter to enhance the knowledge of the field workers and as well enable them to sensitize the public on the issues of unsafe abortion. The Newsletter is published in two languages - English and Bangia respectively. The publication is being funded by SIDA.

  • Training
  • BAPSA frequently organizes basic or refresher's training on Menstrual Regulation (for FWVs).
  • Management of Septic Abortion (for Doctors/FWVs/Nurses/SACMOs).
  • Health and nutrition.
  • Adolescent reproductive health.

Besides, BAPSA also organizes periodical staff training for its own staff.

Behaviour Change Communication Activities

Communication for behaviour change is carried out through:

  • Orientation with FP and health worker in order to create awareness on prevention of unsafe abortion;
  • Meeting with community leader at the union level to create awareness on unsafe abortion at the grassroots level;
  • Counseling reproductive health clients before and after receiving M.R., D&C, and FP services;
  • Counseling pregnant mothers;
  • Group meetings with reproductive health client at the field and clinic levels;
  • Group meetings with the adolescents on Family Life Education at the field and clinic level; and
  • Meeting with the young couple to educate them on the benefit of birth control.

Observance of World Population and AIDS Day

Major Research/evaluations activities carried out by BAPSA:

  • 'A Study on M.R. Providers in Bangladesh' (1984).
  • 'Evaluation of M.R. Services and Training Programs' (December 23,1985).
  • 'Evaluation of Menstrual Regulation Services in Bangladesh' (May 20,1987).
  • 'Intervention Necessary for Preventing Rejection of M.R. Clients' (February 1990).
  • 'Hospital-based Descriptive Study of Illegally Induced Abortion-Related Mortality and Morbidity and Its Costs on Health Services' (July 16,1991).
  • Reports on 'Facilitation of the Distribution of M.R. Equipment' in
    the country, (March 20, 1992).
  • 'Proceedings of the International Symposium on RU-486' (June 30,1992).
  • 'Prospects of Menstrual Regulation Services in Bangladesh' (March 16.1993).
  • 'Utilization of Health Care Services in Dhaka City' (August 1994).
  • 'Septic Abortion: Results from an Anthropological Study' (Mar. 97).
  • 'Estimating the level of Abortion in the Philippines and Bangladesh' (a collaborative study with Alan Guttmacher Institute, 1997).

Collaboration
BAPSA is maintaining close collaboration with the following agencies:
Directorate of Family Planning, Directorate of Health, Directorate of Nursing Services and Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
M.R. Coordination Committee of Bangladesh.
Various NGOs working in the field of reproductive health.
Dhaka City Corporation for providing Primary Health Care Services.
National Technical Advisory Committee of M.R. Services.


FACILITIES

For providing training and hoping mini-Conference, BAPSA has well-equipped training venue with modern Audio-visual System. Library space is also available with reproductive health related materials and information. Besides, essential diagnostic facilities are available for serving the clients attending BAPSA clinics.