April 7th commemorates the birthday of the World Health Organization (WHO), an organization silently but strongly improving the quality of life in our planet. Born on this same day in 1948, the WHO has been committed to world health ever since, reminding us that everyone’s well-being influences that of every other person. World Health Day transcends mere birthday celebration. This is a moment to highlight a global problem influencing everyone. And in 2025 that emphasis will be on something we can all agree is near to our hearts—maternal and infant health.
Women in Reproductive Age (15-49 years): 4.69 crores
Estimated Pregnant Women: 36.81 lakhs
Expected Live Births: 32.01 lakhs (estimated)
Crude Birth Rate: 19.4 per 1000 population
MMR (Maternal Mortality Ratio): 136 per 100,000 live births
NMR (Neonatal Mortality Rate): 20 per 1000 live births
Annual Maternal Deaths: 4,353 (estimated)
Source:Population Census 2022, SVRS 2023
But just what does it mean?
Allow me to relate to you. Consider the first breathing of a newborn. Imagine a mother smiling softly, her eyes full of hope and love. Healthy beginnings are all about making sure every child gets the best opportunity at life starting today. And when that child receives that chance, an optimistic future where possibilities flourish starts. The reality check is that not every mother or child is assured of a good starting point, though. And there is where we should concentrate.
Why Focus on Maternal and Newborn Health?
Why thus does the emphasis of World Health Day this year center on mothers and children? uncomplicated A mother flourishes; her child thrives as well. And whole families and communities blossom when both of them thrive. Even with all the progress in healthcare, far too many women still run dangers throughout pregnancy and too many newborns die during their first few weeks. Though it’s a sobering fact, it is the call to action we must answer. Preserving these priceless lives will set the stage for improved, healthier futures for every one of us.
The Situation in Bangladesh: Progress and Challenges
Let us now narrow our focus on Bangladesh, a nation with some amazing progress towards mother and child health. Here there is actual hope despite the difficulties.
Bangladesh Progress and Targets
Indicator
2014
2018
2022
2030 (Target)
Institutional delivery
37%
50%
65%
85%
Delivery by SBA
42.1%
52.7%
70%
90%
At least 01 ANC service by SBA
63.9%
81.9%
88%
100%
At least 04 ANC services by SBA
31.2%
47%
41%
100%
PNC provided by skilled health workers (within 2 days of delivery)
33.9%
52.1%
55%
100%
Neonatal mortality rate
28
30
20
12
Source: BDHS, SVRS, Bangladesh National MH Strategy Paper (2019-2030)
Progress Worth Celebrating:
Programmes of vaccination shield millions of youngsters from lethal infections.
Women are equipped with the means to design their life and family.
Free check-ups guarantee that expecting women get the required treatment.
Mothers gain vital minerals including iron and folic acid.
Professionals with training attend more births to guarantee safer delivery.
Like every tale of development, this one is not without its hiccups, though.
Let’s Get Real: The Numbers Tell a Story
With millions of women of childbearing age, Bangladesh is a densely inhabited nation. Millions of babies happen year, and even if there is reason for celebration, much has still to be done. Allow me to review some hard-hitting figures:
Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR): Too many women die during delivery still.
The newborn mortality rate (NMR) is excessively high within their first month.
Birth Location: Home vs. Hospital
Bangladesh’s ladies deliver their babies where? It’s a pertinent query. Although it might be consoling, delivering a baby at home usually lacks the medical support of a hospital. And those hospital deliveries? They include trained delivery attendants, emergency care, and a sanitary environment—qualities that greatly lower the chance of problems. Still, many women deliver their babies at home even with the push for hospital births.
The C-Section Trend: The Double-Edged Sword
Rising Caesarean section deliveries is another important problem. Although C-sections save lives, the rising number of them begs some very important issues. Are they ever absolutely required? Are elements of convenience or hospital incentives impacting the choice? One should give this much thought.
The Big Killers: What’s Causing Maternal Deaths?
Let us now confront some unpleasant facts. Delivery of a child can be dangerous. The main offenders for Bangladeshi mothers’ deaths are:
strong bleeding following birth
Pregnancy: Elevated blood pressure
Unsafe abortions
Cause of Death
Percentage
Hemorrhage
31 %
Eclampsia
24 %
Indirect
20 %
Undetermined
8 %
Abortion
7 %
Other direct
7 %
Obstructed or prolonged labor
3 %
First step in avoiding these causes is knowing them. Fortunately, there are other fixes.
National Efforts: What’s Being Done?
Bangladesh is not idly waiting about. Let us now review several national initiatives under way to handle these difficulties.
Improving Antenatal and Postnatal Care: Quality Matters
Working tirelessly, healthcare experts make sure every expectant lady gets first-rate treatment. Among other things:
Frequent visits help to early identify at-risk women.
Ensuring new mothers receive the necessary postpartum care guarantees their well-being.
Pushing for More Hospital Births
Encouragement of institutional deliveries by the government is driving women to deliver their babies in hospitals with access to trained attendants and emergency treatment. And for those who are still reluctant, work is under progress to make hospitals more friendly and approachable.
Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care (EmONC): A Safety Net
Emergencies can still strike even with the best of plans. EmONC services then become really helpful. Dealing with life-threatening conditions including severe hemorrhage and eclampsia, these 24/7 emergency services are absolutely vital.
Tackling the C-Section Rate
Dealing with the increasing C-section rate, the government and medical experts are making sure these operations are carried out just when absolutely required. Women are also being informed by them on the advantages and hazards of C-sections.
Social Safety Nets: Supporting Families
Although childbirth can be financially draining, occasionally this keeps women from obtaining the required treatment. The Maternal Health Voucher Scheme and others help to pay for childbirth, so guaranteeing more families have access to safe delivery.
Coordination: The Key to Success
None of this could succeed without coordination. Government, non-governmental organizations, private hospitals, and community groups all depend on one another. Everybody has to be contributing for the finest potential conclusion, much as in a well-written symphony.
Newborn and Child Health: Protecting the Little Ones
Goals for Newborn Health
With particular aims in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Bangladesh has ambitious ambitions to lower neonatal and child mortality. By 2030, the under-five mortality rate (U5MR) and the newborn mortality rate (NMR) are to be dropped.
Trend Analysis of Neonatal and Under-Five Mortality Rates in Bangladesh
Data:
Year
NMR
U5MR
SDG Target
2010
32
58
25
2011
30
55
25
2012
29
53
25
2013
28
50
25
2014
26
48
25
2015
25
46
25
2016
24
44
25
2017
23
42
25
2018
22
40
25
2019
21
38
25
2020
20
36
25
2021
19
34
25
2022
18
32
25
Analysis:
From 2010 to 2022, both the Neonatal Mortality Rate (NMR) and Under-Five Mortality Rate (U5MR) exhibit a steady declining trend, therefore suggesting progress in child health across the years.
NMR Trend: From 32 in 2010 to 18 in 2022 NMR dropped gradually.
U5MR Trend: From 58 in 2010 to 32 in 2022 U5MR dropped steadily.
Against Target:
Both NMR and U5MR have improved noticeably.
Around 2015, the NMR approached 25 deaths per 1,000 live births, the SDG objective, and then kept dropping.
The U5MR remained over the target in 2022, suggesting that under-five mortality reduction initiatives must be reinforced.
Bangladesh has achieved significant progress in lowering newborn and under-five mortality rates between 2010 and 2022; U5MR remained over the target in 2022 even so. To lower child mortality even more, especially for underprivileged children, constant efforts and interventions are required.
Newborn Killers: The Big Threats
Unfortunately, in their first month of life neonates run major hazards. Leading causes of newborn fatalities in Bangladesh consist in:
Babies born too early run life-threatening risks.
Birth asphyxia: Not receiving enough oxygen during delivery.
Sepsis is a fast spreading lethal infection.
Cause of Death
Percentage
Pneumonia
24%
Prematurity & LBW
22%
Birth asphyxia
18%
Other causes/Unspecified/Undetermined
16%
Congenital anomalies
7%
Drowning
6%
Serious infections
4%
Diarrhea
3%
Solutions That Work: From Clean Deliveries to Special Care Units
The good news is that we know already how to stop these deaths. Simple habits like good delivery, quick newborn care, and trained birth attendants help to save lives. For neonates requiring more help, special care facilities as SCANUs and NSUs offer necessary treatment.
The Road Ahead: Challenges and Solutions
What’s Holding Progress Back?
There are still various obstacles to go even while development is underway:
Monitoring healthcare quality means making sure services meet criteria.
Shortages of skilled personnel characterise the healthcare workforce.
Too many women still deliver at home, away from a medical facility.
Private sector regulation: More control is required of the private healthcare industry.
Solutions: Community, Facilities, and Better Systems
We must use a multifarious strategy to address these difficulties:
Teaching women prenatal, birth, and postnatal care will help to empower communities.
Enhancing health facilities means making sure they are easily accessible and equipped.
Bringing healthcare nearer by means of mobile services and clinics in outlying locations.
Coordinating all elements of the healthcare system ensures their strength.
Monitoring the private sector makes sure that their healthcare providers satisfy the required criteria.
Improved referral systems help to provide seamless routes for patients to receive specialist treatment.
Wrapping Up: Key Takeaways and Why You Should Care
Mother and newborn health in Bangladesh is a tale of optimism, development, and diligence. Still, much of work has to be done. Why then ought you to care? Because this is a narrative about people—mothers, children, and families—who merit a shot at life. Investing in mother and infant health is about giving every kid a good beginning and every mother the possibility to flourish, not only about healthcare. At last, it is about creating a better, more hopeful future for everybody.
Key Stats & Figures:
Indicator
Current Status
Target by 2030
Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR)
High
Reduce by 30%
Newborn Mortality Rate (NMR)
High
Reduce by 25%
Births Attended by Skilled Personnel
65%
95%
Institutional Birth Rate
40%
80%
Challenges Ahead:
Insufficient trained medical professionals
Home births and limited facility access
In healthcare systems, quality control
Bangladesh is headed in the right direction towards bettering mother and infant health with active solutions in place and ongoing efforts. Still, the road ahead is lengthy and calls both constant attention and global cooperation as well as creativity.
