Bangladesh devises action plan to address newborn emergencies

Bangladesh has devised a five-year plan to address the newborn and obstetric emergencies following convulsions during pregnancies and post-childbirth bleeding.

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and UNFPA jointly organised a dissemination workshop for this newly established ‘National Action Plan on Post-Partum Hemorrhage (PPH) & Eclampsia in Bangladesh 2017-2022’ in Dhaka on Thursday.

This is aimed at facilitating implementation of existing strategies and guidelines to improve access to evidence-based care and prompt emergency obstetric responses in order to prevent and manage those fatal conditions.

Recent surveys found that 55 percent of maternal deaths are caused by bleeding (31 percent) and eclampsia (24 percent).

Many of these deaths can be attributed to poor access to quality care and emergency response.

The Action Plan (BEPAP) is a committed response to the global agenda of ending preventable maternal deaths and aligning with targets in maternal health under Sustainable Development Goal 3.

UNFPA Midwifery Specialist Rondi Anderson said it is evident that there are many gaps and challenges to addressing new-born and obstetric emergencies.

“The strategies and actions of the plan will focus on strengthening program interventions at community and facility levels by addressing the gaps and barriers in provision of, access to, and use of timely life-saving care in cases of eclampsia and PPH”.

Director General for Health Services Abul Kalam Azad, speaking as chief guest, said the National Action Plan will accelerate progress and scale up high-impact and cost-effective interventions.

He said for the first time the health ministry will implement a Postpartum Haemorrhage and Eclampsia Action Plan with a cause-specific attention on preventing maternal and neonatal deaths in Bangladesh.