By Aynal Haque
RAJSHAHI, June 9, 2021 (BSS) – Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has become boon for expectant mothers in the region amid the nationwide lockdown caused by the present Covid-19 pandemic.
On behalf of a non-government organization, need-based steps were taken to reach the emergency messages to pregnant mothers about ensuring safe and institutional delivery best using ICT.
Sabana Khatun, 20, a pregnant mother of Nichupara village under Bagmara Upazila, is getting expert messages about antenatal care (ANC), postnatal care (PNC) and neonatal care through BanglaSMS regularly since beginning of her pregnancy.
“SMS teaches me how to prevent complexities related to pregnancy following the health rules amid the Covid-19 pandemic situation,” she said, adding that she is happy with the online healthcare services.
Another pregnant mother, Tazmin Khatun, 22, wife of Umed Ali of Khapara village in Tanore Upazila, told BSS that the messages have taught her to ensure safe delivery through abiding by the health rules during the crisis period.
She appreciated the government for flourishing the ICT sectors as many of the grassroots people, including the expectant mothers, are deriving total benefits of those in various livelihood and productive purposes.
Like Sabana and Tazmin, many other pregnant mothers are availing the modern services for protecting their personal and newborn health from coronavirus infection.
Public Health Improvement Initiative Rajshahi (PHIIR) Project has been sending the emergency messages to the expectant mothers and others concerned since the second round lockdown began bringing a new dimension in the primary healthcare service sector.
Monzur Morsed, Chairman of Porsha Upazila in Naogaon district, said the messages help expectant mothers during the pandemic.
Counseling to pregnant women in hard-to-reach areas over phone and WhatsApp, especially those whose delivery date nears on pregnancy care and birth preparedness plan has become crucial amid the Covid-19 challenges.
Abdur Rahman, Upazila Family Planning Officer of Sapahar, said the SMS venture has been contributing a lot towards facing the existing challenges.
DASCOH Foundation has been implementing the PHIIR project with financial support of Swiss Red Cross (SRC) at five upazila health complexes, 42 Union Health and Family Welfare Centres and 110 Community Clinics at Bagmara, Charghat and Tanore upazilas in Rajshahi and Porsha and Sapahar in Naogaon.
“We are using phone, email and BanglaSMS, for sending the messages to the target group people,” PHIIR Project Manager Tozammel Haque said.
Web-based technologies like whatsapp, facebook messenger, zoom and skype are also being used for the purpose, he added.
Twelve types of SMS were sent to 7,535 health service providers and 494 pregnant mothers and others concerned during the adverse situation of the pandemic.
“We have also transferred a bundle SMS package valued at Taka 200 to 34 Family Welfare Visitors each for regular communication with pregnant mothers whose expected date of delivery is in June and July,” he added.
Giving an overview of their activities Tozammel Haque told BSS that the PHIIR project is intended to improving primary health care and mother, neonatal and child health.