Project Orientation Meeting Successfully Held for Safe MR Project, Phase III

On 10 June 2026, Reproductive Health Services Training and Education Program (RHSTEP) successfully organized a Project Orientation Meeting at Amari Dhaka, Gulshan-2 under the Safe MR Project, Phase III.

The event brought together distinguished representatives from government agencies, UN organizations, INGOs, and NGOs to strengthen collaboration and promote a shared understanding of the project’s objectives and implementation strategies.

The meeting was graced by Dr. Mohammad Zahirul Islam, Health Advisor, Development Cooperation Section, Embassy of Sweden and Dr. Nasir Ahmed, Director (MCH-Services Unit), DGFP, along with senior representatives from the Government of Bangladesh, including:

🔹 Dr. A.N.M. Mustafa Kamal Mazumder, Deputy Director (MCH), DGFP
🔹 Dr. Md. Manjur Hossain, Assistant Director (MCH-Service Unit), DGFP
🔹 Dr. Asif Iqbal, Assistant Director, School Health, DGHS
🔹 S.M. Saiful Islam, Assistant Director (Training), DSHE
🔹 Dalia Akter, Assistant Director, DGNM

Representatives from UNICEF, WHO, BRAC, Naripokkho, Red Orange, CDD, BAPSA, and other development partners also actively participated in the meeting.

During his remarks, Dr. Mohammad Zahirul Islam emphasized the importance of continued collaboration in a changing development landscape. He highlighted that development funding is gradually declining and stressed the need for stronger partnerships among stakeholders. He described RHSTEP as a unique example of successful Government–NGO collaboration in Bangladesh.

Md. Ashiqul Islam, Executive Director of RHSTEP, delivered the welcome address. Dr. Elvina Mustary, Joint Director (Program), RHSTEP, presented an overview of the Safe MR Project, Phase III, including its objectives, expected outcomes, and implementation approach.

In his concluding remarks, Prof. Dr. Mozammel Huq Azad Khan, Vice-President of RHSTEP, highlighted key strengths of the organization:

✅ Demographic Dividend: Through initiatives such as Alor Dhara Pathshala, RHSTEP is actively engaging adolescents and youth to develop knowledge, skills, and leadership potential.
✅ Strong Financial Compliance: RHSTEP maintains a high standard of financial accountability and transparency with no significant audit observations.
✅ Commitment to Self-Sustainability: RHSTEP continues to invest in long-term sustainability strategies for future service continuity.

The session was moderated by Taufiq Ul Karim Chowdhury, Assistant Director (M&E and Advocacy), RHSTEP.

Through this orientation meeting, RHSTEP reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening partnerships and advancing access to safe menstrual regulation, family planning, and sexual and reproductive health services across Bangladesh.