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Public health experts have underscored the critical need to prioritize the development of high-quality community-based health services, particularly in remote islands, to safeguard the well-being of mothers and children. They stressed the importance of engaging midwives and health workers in these regions to effectively address the challenges and reduce the risk of maternal and newborn mortality.
The experts highlighted the potential of such a healthcare model to significantly lower the rates of mother and child deaths in isolated islands and chars. By implementing and expanding these services, they believe it is feasible to achieve the desired targets outlined in Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3, which focuses on ensuring good health and well-being for all.
Central to their recommendations is the continuous strengthening of midwifery education and services across the country, aligning with the objectives set forth in the National Policy for Midwives 2018. They emphasized the importance of providing ongoing support and resources to midwives, enabling them to deliver quality care to expectant mothers and infants.
These insights were shared during a workshop dedicated to improving maternal and child healthcare and enhancing the accessibility and sustainability of health services in Bangladesh. The workshop was organized by Concern Worldwide at a hotel in the capital city on Monday, March 25th, bringing together stakeholders and experts to discuss strategies for advancing maternal and child health outcomes across the country.
Additional Director General (Administration) of the Health Care Directorate, Ahmadul Kabir, was the chief guest at this workshop. Director of the Health Care Department and Coordinator of the Climate Change and Health Promotion Unit, Dr. Iqbal Kabir, Health Advisor of the Swedish Embassy, Daniel Novak, Health Advisor of the British High Commission, Md. Shafiqul Islam; and Swedish Postcode Foundation representative, Anna Emilia spoke as a special guest. Manish Kumar Agrawal, Country Director of Concern Worldwide, delivered the welcome speech at the workshop. The special speaker was Dr. Sharmina Rahman, Head of the Midwifery Education Program at JPG School of Public Health."
In the workshop, the successes of the Midwifery-Led Health Services project in Charfashan and Manpura upazilas of Bhola district were spotlighted. Implemented by Concern Worldwide in collaboration with the Government of Bangladesh, the project has effectively established communitybased healthcare systems on two isolated islands. Led by trained midwives and health workers, these systems aim to prevent maternal, newborn, and child deaths.
Funded by the Swedish Postcode Foundation, this two-year initiative has provided quality healthcare to over 30,000 women and children. The project expanded affordable and safe maternal and primary healthcare services to remote islands through local union health and family welfare centers. By enhancing the capacity of Union Health Centers to offer maternity and newborn services, many centers have been able to provide such services for the first time since their establishment.
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