FROM PAGE 3
several common factors.
“Although Bangladesh has made significant progress in reducing child mortality, we are still at risk,” she told The Daily Star yesterday.
She identified common illnesses such as pneumonia, diarrhoea, typhoid, and other infectious diseases as major contributors to child deaths.
The main issue lies in the lack of awareness, she said.
“People need to be educated on the importance of breastfeeding and the introduction of supplementary foods after six months, which are readily available in our food system,” she said.
Prof Iffat stressed the need for accessible healthcare for these common diseases to prevent further child mortality. She also emphasised the importance of care from conception to safe delivery for ensuring healthy babies.
One of the UN reports said home deliveries, which account for 30 percent of all births in the country, are a major contributor to high newborn mortality and stillbirth rates.
Many of these births occur without skilled medical assistance, significantly increasing the risk of complications, it said.
Another major concern is the limited access to specialised care for sick newborns. Many rural areas lack adequate healthcare facilities, leaving newborns without essential medical attention.
The shortage of trained midwives also remains a critical issue.
To meet its Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target, Bangladesh needs to save an additional 28,000 newborns each year, the report said.
Contacted, Prof Sayedur Rahman, special assistant to the chief adviser for the health ministry, said they have taken several plans to reduce newborn mortality and stillbirth rates.
He said they have taken steps to increase the number of midwives as the existing number is inadequate.
They were taking steps to increase facility-based delivery and better integration between health and family planning, he told The Daily Star over the phone.
“We are also working to increase SCANU [Special Care Newborn Unit] facilities and telemedicine service for early risk detection,” he said.