The BBS report did not indicate where users obtained most contraceptives. But according to the Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey 2022 of the National Institute of Population Research and Training (NIPORT), another body of the government, 55 percent use modern methods and 9 percent use traditional methods of contraception. And 60 percent of the people using modern methods avail it from the private sector, i.e. private hospitals, physicians, pharmacies, shops and other sources. In 2011 this rate was 42 percent. In 2017-2018 it was 50 percent.
Latif Mollah, Mymensingh divisional director of the Directorate of Family Planning, told Prothom Alo, people are in a better situation than before. Instead of waiting for government supplies, they buy contraceptives wherever it is convenient. That is why the sale of contraceptives has increased in the private sector. He said, the government is keeping an eye on the population situation. Work is being done on the new population policy.
However, the BBS report says that the unmet demand for contraceptives has decreased somewhat compared to the previous year. In other words, there have been improvements in access to contraception for those who want to practice birth control and the spacing between births. The unmet demand rate in 2023 was about 16 percent. In 2022 it was about 17 percent.
Professor Mohammad Mainul Islam said, family planning is a holistic life-long process. Family planning is essential for healthy living and future activities. Population control is a part of family planning. Access and supply of birth control methods should be increased. Government services should be of standard quality. Government and non-government organizations at various levels should be involved in this work and monitoring of the overall work should be increased.