The Dhaka Tribune’s staff reporter Bilkis Irani received the “Media Fellowship-2019” of Family Planning by the Directorate General of Family Planning on Monday.
Health Minister Zahid Maleque presented her with the award, and also handed over a cash cheque of Tk1 lakh.
She received this fellowship award as a result of her series of reports on women and children’s health issues both in rural and urban areas.
A total of 12 journalists from different media outlets, two cartoonists and a blogger-in four categories were given awards in a ceremony held at the meeting room of Director General of Family Planning jointly organized by the Directorate General of Family Planning and the Dhaka Reporters Unity. The awardees received a cheque of Tk one lakh each.
Bilkis had earlier received two awards and two fellowships for her reporting for Dhaka Tribune.
Other journalists from different online and print media area Sajida Islam Parul-staff reporter of The Daily Samakal, Mansura Hossain - senior reporter Daily Prothom Alo, Moudud Ahmmed Sujan - Staff correspondent of the Daily Star, Mariam Sejuti - Bhorer Kagoj, Mamun Abdullah - Desh Rupantor, Jahangir Alam - Jago news.
From the electronic media Al Amin Khan - Staff reporter of Boishakhi Television, Naznin Akter Munni - special correspondent of Ekattor television, Naznin Akter Lucky - Mohona Television, Zannatul Bakiya Keka - special correspondent of Channel I, and Anwarul Haque-Editor of Live TV.
Bloggers Anayet Hayder Shaon of somewhereinblog.net, Cartoonist Abdul Kuddus of Doinik Sangbad, Cartoonist Arif Iqbal of Unmad, also received the award.
The health minister said: “I would like to congratulate all the awardees, but would also want the media to focus more on women and children’s health.”
“The Health sector has taken a massive leap in the last 10 years. Now the average life expectancy of people is 72 years in Bangladesh, which is better than some of the neighboring countries, `` he added.
The minister also said; “Even though the health sector of Bangladesh has taken a huge leap, there is still a manpower crisis, though, the government has planned to improve the situation, with 4500 doctors to be employed next week and 5500 to be hired next year.”
Of the IEC Operational Plan of the IEM Unit of the Directorate General of Family Planning arranged this fellowship award program for the first time in the 2018-2019 FY.
