#Title

Fertility rate on rise
FROM PAGE 12
“C-SECTION UNACCEPTABLY HIGH”
The survey also revealed that the Caesarean section (C-section) delivery was unacceptably high among women in non-slum, slum and the rest of the urban areas.
Some 59 percent of babies in non-slums, 51 percent in remaining urban, and 31 percent births in slums were delivered by C-sections.
Nearly 77 percent of facility deliveries among women in non-slums and 75 percent of the rest of the urban areas, and 58 percent in slums were done through C-sections.
According to the World Health Organization, the international healthcare community has considered the ideal rate for C-sections to be between 10-15 percent since 1985.
“High C-section rate is extremely dangerous for maternal health. There is a need for immediate regulatory intervention to reduce unnecessary C-sections,” Prof Mainul said.
LACK OF ANTENATAL CARE
The BUHS 2021 has also revealed another concerning aspect regarding antenatal care, which requires a pregnant woman to have at least four doctor visits before delivery.
The antenatal care coverage is the percentage of women aged 15 to 49 with a live birth in a given time period who received antenatal care (ANC).
The survey revealed that only 40 percent of pregnant mothers in slums received proper ANC, while it was 53 percent in non-slum and 39 percent in semi-urban areas.
Mortality rate in urban areas was 27 percent among the newborns, 36 percent among infants, and 39 percent among children under five.
Exclusive breastfeeding among children under six months both in slums and non-slum areas have decreased in 2021 compared to 2013-- from 59 percent to 54 in slums and 58 percent from 49 in non-slums.
The survey also revealed that a big number children under five suffer from malnutrition related complications.
In the slums, around 34 percent of all under-five children were stunted. In non-slums, it was 27 percent and in rest of the urban areas it was 28.5.
Overall, 16 percent of under-five children in slums were wasted. In non-slums, it was 14 percent and in the remaining urban areas 16 percent.
In slums, 28 percent of the under-five children were underweight, while in non-slums it was 20 percent and 23 in the rest of the urban areas, the survey said.
Speaking at the unveiling of the BUHS 2021, Professor Dr AKM Nurun Nabi, population expert and former vice-chancellor of Begum Rokeya University, said the survey has revealed how urban health has been neglected.
“The policymakers should focus on this.”
Speaking as the chief guest, Health Minister Zahid Maleque said the number of C-sections needs to come down.
“For this, we have to work at the root level. If we can ensure 24/7 delivery services, the number of [unnecessary C-sections] can be brought under control.”

Man sentenced
FROM PAGE 2
“After all evidence proved that Rakesh Roy posted those on social media, the court delivered the verdict,” he said.
In June 2017, Rakesh, organising secretary of the Mahajate’s Sylhet divisional unit, made several Facebook posts “hurting religious sentiment and issuing death threat” to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
One Fuzael Ahmed lodged the case against Rakesh under section 57 of the Information Technology Act with Zakiganj Police Station on June 5.
Police arrested him on June 7 that year.

Freeze bank
FROM PAGE 12
Unit Fund, and UFS-Padma Life Islamic Unit Fund.
Tk 125 crore was embezzled from the cash and fixed deposits of the mutual funds and the rest of the amount from its interest income and through the overcharging of management fees, the team found.