State Minister for Health wants to remove taboos from adolescent healthcare and move quickly into action

The State Minister said that due to social taboos and shame, adolescents do not get correct information about reproductive health or physical changes. We must come out of the tendency to stop them by calling them ‘rude’ whenever they ask questions. Young people must be given the freedom to ask questions, and family-centred initiatives must be taken for any mental and social protection. He also announced that from next December 1, a large-scale campaign on reproductive health and family planning will begin across the country.

Dr. Muhit further said that by analysing district and upazila-level data, targeted special programmes will be ensured in the ‘hotspots’ of child marriage or domestic violence. Mentioning the young generation's reliance on technology, he also shared the government's plan to build an easily accessible and acceptable health network for correct information. At the session organised by SERAC-Bangladesh, Secretary of the Health Education Division Benjamin Riazee and other guests also spoke.