RHCC Intervention: Strengthening the delivery and coverage of sexual and reproductive health care during floods in Bangladesh

PurposeThe quality and availability of sexual and reproductive health care are key determinants to reducing maternal mortalities and morbidities in disaster settings; yet, these services are often lacking in developing countries. Reducing maternal mortality and morbidity is currently the main targets of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3. An intervention trial called RHCC (Reproductive Health Kit 8; Capacity building; Community awareness) was developed, implemented, and evaluated in three primary health care (PHC) facilities in Belkuchi, Bangladesh, to improve the quality and availability of post-abortion care (PAC)during the 2017 floods. Design/methodology/approach This research utilised both quantitative and qualitative methods to develop, implement, and assess the RHCC in three flood-prone PHC facilities in Belkuchi. FindingsThe RHCC was implemented during the floods of 2017. The findings pre-and post-intervention suggest it led to an increase in skills among health workers, an increase in the quality of care for clients, and the availability of PAC at three PHC facilities during floods. Originality/valueDue to its geographic location, Bangladesh is exposed to recurrent floods and cyclones. Evidence-based integrated intervention packages, such as the RHCC, can improve the quality and availability of reproductive health care during disasters at PHC level, and in doing so, can promote the UN’s agenda on ‘disaster resilient health system’ to achieve the SDG 3,and the WHO’s campaign on universal health coverage..