Union level health facilities can cope with 24/7 childbirth services: Research indicates

A new research has indicated that union level health and family welfare centre known as UHFWC can offer round the clock normal delivery services in Bangladesh.

International NGO, Population Council, looked into the possibility in their research against the backdrop that most women in rural areas give birth at home with the help of unskilled hands, resulting in complications and deaths. 
 
The findings, which were shared at a function in Dhaka on Tuesday, showed that three issues - strengthening human resources, participation of the local people, and strong referral linkages -- can make the difference. 
 
The Population Council with the help of the government’s family planning directorate intervened in 24 UHFWCs in Chittagong and Munshiganj districts and ensured those issues and monitored the services for a year. 
 
Later, they found increased level of awareness among women to go to those facilities during childbirth. Pregnancy time check-ups have also increased.

Findings also suggest a higher rate of delivery at the health facilities in those intervention districts.

Population Council’s Country Director Ubaidur Rob who is also the principal investigator of the project presented the research findings. Director General for Family Planning Mohammad Wahid Hossain was present as chief guest.