UNFPA starts distribution of health kits for women in Cox’s Bazar

The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has initiated a project to hand over sexual and reproductive health kits and critical supplies to health facilities serving underprivileged women and girls in the Teknaf and Ukhiya Upazilas of Cox’s Bazar.

This district hosts a million of Rohingya refugees from Myanmar.

Consisting of a wide range of commodities, the kits help manage a variety of sexual and reproductive health issues.

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and other active non-governmental organisations working in that area such as HOPE Foundation and RTMI would receive those kits for distribution among the women.

This is aimed at promoting maternal and newborn health and protecting vulnerable women from consequences of gender-based violence, the UNFPA said.

The handover ceremony on Thursday highlighted the “role of those lifesaving reproductive health kits in empowering women to exercise their rights, ensure safety and security, and uphold their dignity”.

The kits, for example, include a clean delivery kit which can be used at home as well as at health facilities to ensure clean delivery for pregnant women.

There are also rape treatment kits that have been distributed to skilled service providers in the health facilities.

UNFPA has also provided kits that help referral hospitals to manage complications and save lives.

Iori Kato, Deputy Representative, UNFPA Bangladesh said many women and girls cannot exercise their reproductive rights without access to adequate supplies to ensure safe childbirth and to promote their overall sexual and reproductive health.

“To ensure this, we’ve distributed approximately 400 RH kits and other commodities in Cox’s Bazar, valued up to approximately $1 million (USD), reaching approximately 89,000 beneficiaries”.

Abul Kalam, the Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner, was also present at the event.

He said “these kits will assist in achieving the SDGs and we hope that the use of these kits will leave no one behind”.