29 midwives complete master's in sexual and reproductive health and rights

Twenty-nine midwives have completed their master’s in Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR), which is new in Bangladesh.

This is a new programme by Dalarna University of Sweden with the support of the UN population agency, UNFPA.

With this new batch, the number of such graduates in Bangladesh has reached 60.

State Minister for Health Murad Hasan distributed the certificates among the new graduates at an event on Tuesday in Dhaka.

The UNFPA and the Directorate General of Nursing and Midwifery (DGNM) organised the graduation ceremony with an aim “to recognise one of the many key achievements of the government of Bangladesh in advancing midwifery in Bangladesh on all fronts - education, service, trainings and advocacy”.

The state minister commended the efforts of all parties involved in advancing the midwifery profession and for continuing to make midwifery education in the country stronger.

He congratulated the new graduates and said: “We now have almost 60 SRHR master’s graduates along with the first batch. I sincerely hope to see the master’s programme continue fruitfully and one day have the privilege to say that the number is 600!”

Asa Torkelsson, UNFPA representative, congratulated all the new graduates and motivated them to be the leaders that would bring about “great positive changes” in midwifery education in Bangladesh.

“Midwives are champions in bringing lifesaving health services to vulnerable women and girls, ensuring no one is left behind, and these SRHR Master’s graduates will be the ones to groom and nurture them into the future champions,” she said.

Director General of DGNM Tandra Sikder chaired the programme.