SRH and HIV/AIDS Linkages at Policies, Programmes and Service ...

the highest export earnings. The privatesector is active, and voluntary nonprofitorganisations are highly visible.Infectious diseases still dominate thedisease burden in Bangladesh, as a resultof overpopulation, malnutrition, andpoor hygiene and sanitary conditions.Poverty and illiteracy, compounded bynatural disasters, further complicatethe health situation.MethodologyThe methodology used for this reportwas both a standard questionnaire forinterview and reviewing secondarymaterials. In-depth interviews werecarried out among policy makers, headsof programmes, donors and serviceproviders with experts in the field of FP,RH and HIV.The secondary analyses of data wastaken from the National HIV andAdolescent Sexual ReproductiveHealth policy, strategies, and plans,from the recently conducted round ofBSS.Various other reports on HIV/AIDSand reproductive health, the NationalCommunication Strategy for FamilyPlanning and Reproductive Health,BDHS etc. were also referenced. Inaddition, major NGOs working inthe field of HIV/AIDS were alsoconsulted.Limitations of theAssessmentThe focus of the assessment was toanalyse the linkages of SRHR and HIVand AIDS from the policy, strategy,systems and service delivery perspectives.However the major limitation was toget access to government authoritiesfor in-depth interviews. In the Ministryof Health most officers do not have aclear concept of the programmes. Therewas a clear reluctance on the part ofconcerned GoB officials to share theirideas and views on the subject.Findings1. Policy Environment1.1. Sexual andReproductive HealthProgrammes inBangladeshBangladesh has made remarkablesuccess in family planning (FP) andreproductive health programmes(RHP) over the last two decades.The Population Policy Programmeof the country has evolved through aseries of developmental phases andhas undergone changes in strategy,structure, content and goals. Theremarkable success achieved by theBangladesh Population Programme,despite widespread poverty andunderdevelopment, is a logicalconsequence of the realisation of theconcept of “population and development”adopted in various development plans.The major ingredients attributed tothis successful model exhibited by thePopulation Programme include, amongothers, the following:Sustained political commitmentMaternal and child health-basedstrategyExtensive network of field workersand service centres5