Programme lunched to strengthening maternal, neonatal health

Senior Staff Reporter, Rangpur :

Speakers at a function here on Sunday underscored the need for ensuring healthcare services to the pregnant women and newborn babies to build a healthy nation. The project aims to contribute to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 3 (SDG 3) by reducing maternal and neonatal mortality in the Rangpur division.
Save the Children International has announced the launch of a five-year project, “Strengthening the Maternal and Neonatal Health System in Rangpur District, Bangladesh.”
A launching ceremony of the project took place on Sunday at Begum Rokeya Auditorium, RDRS Bangladesh, in the presence of distinguished dignitaries. The Government of the Republic of Korea through the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) is funding this project through Save the Children Korea under KOICA-NGO partnership. RDRS Bangladesh is the local implementation partner and icddr,b is the research and evaluation partner for the project. In collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the initiative will be executed in three phases, with the initial phase focusing on the coverage of the Rangpur and Lalmonirhat districts in the next five years. The results and progress of Phase 1 will guide the expansion to the remaining districts of the Rangpur division in later phases. This collaboration is with the Directorate of Health Services (DGHS) and Directorate of Family Planning (DGFP) under Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MOH&FW). The project aims to improve service utilization rate and achieve the long-term goal of the project – ‘Reduce MMR and NMR of the Rangpur Division, Bangladesh’ by: Reducing the risk of childbirth by non-professional personnel through promotion of gender equality and positive Maternal newborn Health and Family Planning (MNH-FP) behavior, improving service quality and accessibility by strengthening MNH-FP service delivery system. This project will adopt a comprehensive approach that addresses the entire spectrum of maternal and neonatal health, including prenatal care, delivery in presence of skilled birth attendant, postnatal care, emergency obstetric care, and family planning. In coordination with communities, healthcare providers, and policymakers, the project aims to build sustainable systems that provide equitable access to quality healthcare services to promote and ensure healthy pregnancy and safe childbirth.
Divisional Director-Health of Rangpur Division Dr. ABM Abu Hanif attended the function and addressed it as the Chief Guest. Dewan Morshed Kamal, Divisional Director of Family Planning, Rangpur, spoke at the event as Chairperson of the event. Dr. Md. Zahangir Kabir, Civil Surgeon, Rangpur; Dr. Shaikh Md. Saidul Islam, DDFP, Rangpur; Head of the Pediatrics Department of RpMCH, Prof. Dr. Abu Rayhan Md. Suja-Ud-Doula; Head of the Gynaecology & Obstetrics Department of RpMCH, Prof. Dr. Sharmin Sultana Lucky; Deputy Director-Local Government, Rangpur, Most. Jilufa Sultana; Head of Administration and General Service Mr. Nazrul Gani was present as the special guest. Earlier, a PowerPoint presentation overview of the project and its progress was done by the Project Director, Dr. Jatan Bhowmick. Director of Health of Rangpur Division Dr. ABM Abu Hanif urged the Govt. service providers from both DGHS and DGFP, as well as the project staff to be more motivated in providing their quality and dignified services to the project participants in a bid to bring maternal mortality rate below 70 per 100,000 live birth to achieve the Sustainable Development Goal by 2030.
DD Youth development Md. Abdul Faruk, DD (DWA), Kawsar parvin, DDSS- Md.Abdul Matin, DEO Md. Enayet Hossain, Deputy Civil Surgeon Dr. Md. Ruhul Amin, ADCC Dr. Nabiul All UH&FPO, UFPO, MCHFP and NGO working in the health sector was present during the ceremony.