Safe Motherhood Day today

GB news 24 desk//

The country is observing ‘Safe Motherhood Day’ today in a befitting manner.

The government has taken different programmes to observe the day.

The theme of the day this year is “Midwives are essential to reduce maternal mortality”.

To mark the day, the daily newspapers will publish supplements and Bangladesh Betar and Bangladesh Television (BTV) will air special programmes.

Besides, discussions and rallies will be held at district and upazila levels.

To mark the Day a press conference was organised by the health ministry at the Secretariat where State Minister for Health Zahid Maleque was present as the chief guest.

President M Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday issued separate messages and praised the ministry for taking different initiatives to observe the Day across the country.

The President, in his message, said it is very important to nurture expecting mothers and new born babies to develop a healthy nation.

The government has taken different initiatives to ensure safe motherhood through establishing 13,500 Community Clinics across the country, he said.

Trained midwives play a vital role in safe deliveries, he added.

In her message, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said the Awami League-led government is pledge-bound to develop mother and child health and reduce maternal and child mortality rates.

Trained midwives have been recruited at Union Sub-centre and upazila Health complexes for ensuring safe deliveries, she said.

Bangladesh has been able to attain MDGs before the stipulated time because of multifarious steps taken by the government, she said adding, “We have received MDG award as recognition to this unimaginable success.”

This success should be maintained and taken forward, the Prime Minister said adding that it is a big challenge to attain the UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDG).