Workshop held on safe motherhood at floating hospital

A seven-day training workshop for Traditional Birth Attendants (TBAs) was held aboard the floating hospital Jibon Tori anchored in Kaliganj, Gazipur, aiming to ensure safe motherhood and reduce maternal and newborn mortality.

The workshop was organised by Impact Floating Hospital Jibon Tori and attended by 25 traditional birth attendants.

At the end of the training, participants received essential delivery kits and training certificates.

The programme focused on equipping traditional birth attendants from different parts of the upazila with modern skills in maternal and newborn healthcare.

Trainer Mosammat Jahanara Begum conducted practical sessions on safe delivery techniques, identifying danger signs during pregnancy, maintaining hygiene during childbirth, immediate newborn care, managing excessive bleeding and convulsions during labour, referring emergency cases promptly.

to nearby health facilities, basic newborn care and infection prevention.

According to hospital authorities, the floating hospital has provided healthcare services to 50,258 patients over the past 14 months.

During the period, 1,374 patients underwent various surgical procedures, including 1,201 eye surgeries, 165 tonsil surgeries, and eight clubfoot operations, all at subsidised costs. In addition, six patients with perforated eardrums received surgery free of charge.

A.K.M. Shahidul Haque, Administrator of Impact Floating Hospital Jibon Tori, said raising awareness and improving the skills of traditional birth attendants at the grassroots level can significantly reduce health risks for mothers and newborns.

“Through this training, we aim to integrate traditional birth attendants with modern healthcare practices,” he said.

He added that the floating hospital is committed not only to providing medical treatment but also to promoting public health awareness, improving maternal healthcare and enhancing healthcare services for marginalised communities.

Besides offering affordable treatment to people living in riverine and underserved areas, the hospital regularly organises training programmes for birth attendants and healthcare workers, along with various public awareness initiatives.