Initially MCHTI distributed the booklet to total 600 pregnant women as a part of a pilot study conducted by International Collaboration Division, Faculty of Human Sciences of Osaka University, Japan.

Dr Shafi Ullah Bhuiyan, Assistant Coordinator (Training and Research) of MCHTI developed the MCH Handbook in 2002 as a PhD fellow of this University.

The book is a compiled document of records of pregnancy, delivery, childcare and development, immunisation and health education for pregnant mother.

However, the pilot study in MCHTI that ended in 2003 showed that mothers maintain the MCH Handbook accordingly as the book is a comprehensive document written both in Bangla and English.

The idea of MCH Handbook originated in Japan after the Second World War when the country was afflicted with famine, epidemic of different diseases including tuberculosis, diarrhoea and measles. The authority decided to provide sustainable health care service to pregnant mothers to curb diseases among children.

The authority introduced a 4-page MCH Handbook in 1948 and since then the city corporations distribute the book to pregnant women free of cost. At present the third generation pregnant women are following the system.

Observing the success of this type of handbook in Japan, over 12 countries including Indonesia, Mexico, Brazil, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, South Korea and USA introduced MCH handbook to secure quality MCH services.

The Obstetrical and Gynaecological Society of Bangladesh (OGSB) Hospital in Mirpur introduced the MCH Handbook funded by Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in 2005 following the success in MCHTI.

The MCH Handbook Project Director in OGSB Prof Dr Abdul Bayes Bhuiyaan claimed 100 per cent pregnant women are provided with the book that meets the demand of today's mothers.

"Mothers are now well educated, they want to understand everything related to pregnancy clearly and they want quality services," he said.

"Since the book is a combination of multiple cards providing health records of mother and baby up to five years, the doctors will be able to diagnose a baby if any complication arises," Dr Bayes added, also the former President of OGSB.

The distribution of the book in MCHTI has been halted from 2004 lack of financial support, Dr Shafi lamented.

Dr Shafi asked for government organisation (GO) and non-government organisation (NGO) collaboration to introduce the book countrywide.

He also laid emphasis on creating public awareness and training for the service providers at grassroots level about the use of the book.