Effective Steps Must Be Taken To Reduce Preventable Maternal Deaths – Parliament Speaker

Honourable Speaker of the National Parliament of Bangladesh Dr. Shirin Sharmin Choudhury said, “Effective steps must be taken to reduce preventable maternal deaths.” She said this while chairing as the Chief Guest at the “Policy Dialogue on Policy Actions to End Preventable Maternal Deaths” hosted by the SPCPD project last Friday, 4th November in the National Parliament’s oath-in chamber. 

To determine additional spatially targeted interventions, Dr. Shirin Sharmin Choudhury advised mapping to detect which locations have high rates of Maternal Mortality and complications. She also suggested locating the service delivery system’s gaps and interacting with the majority of urban poor and slum residents. 

Ms. Kristine Blokhus, who was invited as a special guest to the discussion, emphasised the need of supporting and funding midwives, whose services have become crucial in preserving the lives of expectant mothers and babies as well as assuring prenatal and postnatal care nationwide. 

The Principal Coordinator SDG Affairs, Prime Minister’s Office, Ms. Zuena Aziz, and Ms. Kristine Blokhus, Representative, UNFPA Bangladesh were present as Special Guests, as well as the Hon’ble Deputy Speaker of the Bangladeshi Parliament, Mr. Md. Shamsul Haque Tuku MP and other parliamentarians. 

Parliamentarians emphasised the need for more advocacy, institutional delivery, strengthened midwives, round-the-clock medical care, and the availability of other essential medications, particularly for PPH and eclampsia. They also talked about how to implement the National Strategy for Maternal Health effectively (2019-2030). 

Source: UNFPA Bangladesh