DGFP and PSTC sign MoU to boost reproductive health services

The Directorate General of Family Planning (DGFP) under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and the Population Services and Training Center (PSTC) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen collaboration on equitable and high-quality Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) and Family Planning (FP) services across Bangladesh.

The agreement, signed on Tuesday places special emphasis on reaching youth, adolescents, and marginalised populations, said a press release.

Dr Ashrafee Ahmad, NDC, DG (grade-1) of the DGFP, and Dr Noor Mohammad, Executive Director of PSTC, signed the MoU at a ceremony held at the PSTC Multipurpose Hall in Dhaka.

Senior officials attending the event included Sabina Pervin, Director of Planning & Coordination; Taslim Uddin Khan, Director of IEM; and Dr Nasir Ahmed, Director of MCH (Services) from the DGFP. 

Also present were Ms Tomoko Fukuda, Regional Director for South-East Region of the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF), along with other government officials, development partners, health experts, civil society representatives, and youth advocates.

The MoU establishes a strategic partnership to jointly implement programmes in areas such as Comprehensive Sexuality Education, adolescent health, emergency SRHR response, faith-based engagement, advocacy and policy dialogue, as well as evidence-based monitoring and quality improvement.

During the ceremony, representatives from both organisations stressed the need for collaborative efforts to overcome persistent barriers to SRHR information and services, especially for underserved and vulnerable communities. 

Senior DGFP officials highlighted the government’s commitment to adolescent-friendly health services, social and behaviour change communication, and multi-sectoral coordination to meet national health and development goals.

PSTC representatives reaffirmed their support for government initiatives through technical assistance, community engagement, capacity building, youth leadership development, and evidence generation. The organisation also acknowledged the ongoing support of development partners, including the IPPF.

The partnership will initially focus on six districts — Dhaka, Gazipur, Narsingdi, Mymensingh, Kushtia, and Faridpur — with scope for expansion according to national priorities.

The collaboration is expected to increase awareness and knowledge of SRHR and family planning, improve access to youth-friendly and inclusive health services, reduce stigma and harmful social norms, strengthen emergency preparedness and implementation of the Minimum Initial Service Package during crises, and enhance coordination, monitoring, and evidence-based decision-making.

The ceremony ended with the formal exchange of the signed MoU, crests, and documents, accompanied by a shared commitment to advance a healthier, more equitable, and rights-based future for the people of Bangladesh.