NEW ADVISER FOR MINISTRIES OF HEALTH AND RELIGIOUS

UNCLAS DHAKA 000145 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: SOCI PGOV PREL KISL BG SUBJECT: NEW ADVISER FOR MINISTRIES OF HEALTH AND RELIGIOUS AFFAIRS BACKS U.S. PROGRAMS REF: DHAKA 0134 ¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY. Adviser Dr. Rahman said he is well aware of and applauds USG funded programs. END SUMMARY. ¶2. (SBU) On January 24, the Ambassador, AID Country Director, and Econoff (notetaker) met with Maj. Gen. Dr. A.S.M. Matiur Rahman (Retd.),the adviser responsible for the ministries of Health & Family Welfare, Water Resources, and Religious Affairs. Dr. Rahman is formerly the chief HIV/AIDS adviser, and has been the chairman of the national HIV/AIDS committee's technical committee since 1985. LEADERS OF INFLUENCE PROGRAM ¶3. (SBU) Ambassador and Dr. Rahman discussed the Leaders of Influence program, funded by AID and operated through the Imam Training Academy of the Islamic Foundation. Dr. Rahman is a lecturer at the Islamic Foundation, so is well aware of the program and how it benefits communities by getting much needed development messages out to them. He agreed that the wide network of mosques in Bangladesh is a key tool in transmitting information throughout the country. CONTRACEPTIVE PROCUREMENT BY SOCIAL MARKETING CORPORATION ¶4. (SBU) Ambassador raised the ongoing problem of government approval for the Social Marketing Company to use the proceeds from GOB-supplied contraceptives to restock supplies. The current delay in procurement is approaching critical levels, with a demand for almost 10 million units per month, and almost no stocks of injectable /implantable contraceptives and less than three months of oral contraceptives and condoms on hand. She stressed that the consequence of a lack of contraceptives would be countless unwanted pregnancies. Dr. Rahman was aware of the situation, indicated he is looking into the matter in depth, and hoped to see real acceleration of this process, noting the cross-over between condoms and HIV/AIDS prevention. COMMENT ¶5. (SBU) Dr. Rahman spoke positively of the U.S., expressed appreciation that the U.S. is trying to help Bangladesh, and noted that in the mid-1970's his laboratory had supported the U.S. Embassy's health unit. His familiarity with the major health issues in Bangladesh and with the GOB Bureaucracy make him a good choice for this portfolio. BUTENIS