Midwifery Day observed

The International Day of the Midwife (IDM) 2016 was observed in the country on Thursday as elsewhere in the world, especially in developing countries where many mothers still die during pregnancy and childbirth.

The day is observed as a mark of recognition to the contribution of midwives to saving lives of women, adolescent girls and newborns, sometimes under very difficult circumstances, said a press release.

The UN Population Fund in a message said well-trained and adequately supported midwives working in communities were uniquely positioned to provide the compassionate, respectful and culturally sensitive care a woman needs during pregnancy and delivery.

A programme was organized in capitals Bangla Academy premises to observe the day and discuss the significance of this year’s theme: ‘Women and Newborns: the Heart of Midwifery’.

Dr Biman Kumar Shaha, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), in his keynote speech said the government has been working sincerely to promote midwifery in Bangladesh. He said some of the pragmatic steps have also been taken in this regard.

The Swedish Ambassador to Bangladesh Johan Frisell said maternal mortality can be reduced by 87 percent if women have access to comprehensive midwifery and family planning services.

The envoy said midwifery education and their deployment in communities could yield a 16th fold return on investment in terms of the lives saved and the costs of caesarian sections avoided.

Director of Bangladesh Nursing Institute Nilofar Ahmed, UNFPA Representative to Bangladesh Argentina Matavel Piccin and other leading professionals in the field also spoke on the occasion.