WHO greets Bangladesh on reducing maternal mortality

The World Health Organization (WHO) has congratulated Bangladesh for achieving the target of reducing the maternal mortality ratio well ahead of the 2030 deadline set under the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

WHO Director General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus handed over the letter of congratulations to Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Husain on Tuesday at the ongoing 79th session of the WHO Regional Committee for South-East Asia, being held in Dili, Timor-Leste, from 7 to 10 September, said a press release.

The letter said Bangladesh’s achievement is a significant milestone in public health. The success was driven by the government’s strong leadership, effective health policies, well-organized reproductive and maternal health programmes, and significant progress in ensuring access to essential health services.

It also said ensuring delivery and midwifery services through skilled health workers, community participation, and collaboration with various partners played important roles in achieving the success.

The WHO South-East Asia Regional Office also congratulated the Bangladesh government for sustaining maternal and neonatal tetanus elimination for the past 10 years. Strong national commitment, high-quality immunization services and safe delivery practices across the country have made important contributions to this achievement.

The letter said Bangladesh’s achievement has made an important contribution to the collective efforts of member states in the WHO South-East Asia Region to sustain the regional achievement of maternal and neonatal tetanus elimination over the past decade.