Bangladesh Health Authorities Report Progress in Maternal Mortality Reduction

DHAKA, Bangladesh — Bangladesh has achieved a significant milestone in public health, with the latest government data indicating a 15% reduction in maternal mortality over the past five years, according to a report released by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on Wednesday. The decline brings the national maternal mortality ratio to 136 deaths per 100,000 live births, down from 160 in 2019, marking steady progress toward the Sustainable Development Goal target of 70 by 2030.

Health officials attribute the improvement to expanded access to skilled birth attendants, increased antenatal care coverage, and the establishment of more emergency obstetric care facilities in rural areas. Dr. Md. Shamsul Haque, director general of the Directorate General of Health Services, stated in a press briefing that the government has trained over 10,000 community health workers in the last two years to support pregnant women in remote regions.

“This achievement reflects the collective efforts of our healthcare system, community workers, and international partners,” Haque said. “We are focusing on the most vulnerable populations to ensure no mother is left behind.”

Despite the gains, challenges persist. The World Health Organization has noted that Bangladesh still faces a high burden of maternal deaths due to postpartum hemorrhage, eclampsia, and unsafe abortions. In 2023, an estimated 4,500 women died from pregnancy-related complications, according to the United Nations Population Fund.

International health experts have praised Bangladesh’s progress but caution that sustaining the decline requires addressing underlying issues such as malnutrition, early marriage, and limited access to family planning services. A recent study published in The Lancet Global Health found that adolescent mothers in Bangladesh are twice as likely to die from maternal causes compared to women over 20.

In response, the government has launched a new initiative called “Safe Motherhood Plus,” which aims to provide comprehensive reproductive health services to one million women in the next three years. The program, funded by the World Bank and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, will deploy mobile clinics and telemedicine services in hard-to-reach areas.

On the global stage, Bangladesh’s progress aligns with broader trends in South Asia, where maternal mortality has dropped by 38% since 2000, driven by investments in healthcare infrastructure and female education. However, the region still accounts for nearly a quarter of all maternal deaths worldwide, with Afghanistan, India, and Pakistan reporting higher ratios.

Meanwhile, the World Health Organization has launched a new global strategy to accelerate maternal health improvements, emphasizing the need for universal health coverage and stronger health systems. The initiative, announced at the World Health Assembly in Geneva, calls for countries to prioritize maternal care in primary health services.

Public health analysts in Dhaka say Bangladesh’s success offers lessons for other developing nations. “Bangladesh has shown that political will, community engagement, and targeted investments can save lives even in resource-constrained settings,” said Dr. Nasima Akhter, a professor of obstetrics at Dhaka Medical College. “But we must remain vigilant and address the gaps that remain, especially in urban slums and climate-affected areas.”

As Bangladesh continues its journey toward better maternal health, the government plans to integrate maternal care with broader health reforms, including the ongoing digitization of medical records and the expansion of the community clinic network. The next national health survey, due in 2025, will provide further evidence of the country’s trajectory.