United efforts needed to reduce maternal mortality
Staff Correspondent
Integration of traditional birth attendance into modern rural health delivery system, and accountability of both the birth attendants and service providers to local government can reduce maternal mortality significantly, said the speakers at a book launching ceremony. They said a coordination between traditional and modern knowledge and sincere participation by all is a must to achieve the Millennium Development Goal (MDG) in maternal mortality. Gonoshasthaya Kendra (GK) organised the launching ceremony of the book titled 'Achieving the millennium development goal on maternal mortality: Gonoshasthaya Kendra's experience in rural Bangladesh' by Rafiqul Huda Chowdhury and Dr Zafrullah Chowdhury at Gonoshasthaya Nagar Hospital in the city yesterday. Prof Nazrul Islam, chairman of University Grants Commission, unveiled the cover of the book. Speaking on the occasion, Rafiqul Huda Chowdhury said with a view to providing primary healthcare, reproductive and child health service, GK started its journey in 1972 and it has now spread its health service to 592 villages in 15 districts. Quoting a research of GK, he said the maternal mortality in GK project areas has been reduced by 37 percent in 2002-05 in comparison to 1993-97. The MDG on maternal mortality has almost been achieved in GK project areas where maternal mortality rate is now 145 per 100,000 live births, he added. Dr Kawsar Afsana of Brac said rural midwives are skilled enough and we have to integrate their knowledge with that of trained midwives to reduce the risk of maternal deaths. " Besides, this integration will also enable us to provide healthcare service to rural people at an affordable price," she added. Dr Halida Hanum, director general of FAPB, said GK's effort to reduce maternal mortality in its project areas is a lesson to learn. Harmonisation of community resources like utilising the knowledge of village midwives is important in reducing maternal mortality, she said. Dr Zafrullah said political will and participation of all including the Imams (religious cleric), skilled and traditional midwives and local government representative are a must to reduce maternal mortality in the country. "We have still eight years and we can achieve the target of MDG if the government and all concerned work unitedly," he said. Unveiling the cover of the book, Prof Nazrul said the book contains many scientific information and analysis which will be helpful for all. The government and the NGOs concerned will take GK's efforts into consideration for achieving the MDG on maternal mortality, he hoped. Prof Abul Qasem Chowdhury, vice-chancellor of Gono Bishwabidyalay and Dr Abbas Bhuiyan of ICDDR,B also spoke.
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