Rajshahi: Health experts and development workers have stressed the importance of regular antenatal check-ups, proper nutrition, and institutional normal delivery to ensure safe motherhood and protect the health of both mothers and newborns. The call was made at an awareness and recognition programme titled "Safe Delivery Awareness and Recognition at Health Centers," organized by World Vision Bangladesh's Rajshahi City Area Development Program (ADP) at the City Church Hall Room in Rajshahi city today.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, a total of 120 mothers who had delivered their babies through institutional normal delivery at health centers were honored at the programme. Sharing her experience, Sumaiya Akter Mim, a resident of Barabongram area in Ward No. 17 of Rajshahi city, said her child was born healthy on May 16. During her pregnancy, she regularly consumed nutritious food and received necessary healthcare services. She said she felt relieved and reassured after safely delivering her child at a health center.
Chief guest Dr. F.M.M. Anjuman Ara Begum, Chief Health Officer of Rajshahi City Corporation, emphasized that pregnant women should undergo regular health check-ups throughout pregnancy, with at least four essential antenatal visits. She stressed the importance of a balanced and nutritious diet for pregnant mothers, including protein-rich foods such as fish, meat, milk, and eggs, along with a variety of vegetables. She also advised expectant mothers to arrange for safe and institutional delivery at a health facility in consultation with qualified doctors, depending on their health condition and medical needs.
Special guest Golam Mostafa Mamun, General Secretary of Rajshahi Press Club, highlighted the critical role family members play in ensuring safe motherhood. He noted that ensuring proper nutrition and medical care for pregnant women is a shared responsibility of families, adding that mothers should be encouraged to seek necessary healthcare services without unnecessary fear or anxiety about normal delivery.
Nilu Begum, Senior Programme Officer of World Vision Bangladesh, Rajshahi, presented the keynote paper at the programme. She stated that World Vision Bangladesh is implementing various development initiatives focusing on children's health, education, protection, and safety, as well as improving family income. She mentioned that antenatal and postnatal care services for pregnant and lactating mothers are being promoted in all 30 wards of Rajshahi City Corporation through the Timed and Targeted Counseling (TTC) model. The recognition programme was organized as part of these activities to encourage mothers who had completed institutional normal deliveries and to raise awareness about safe motherhood.
Philip Arinda, Programme Officer of World Vision Bangladesh, highlighted the objectives of the organization's "Five Zero Plus" campaign. He mentioned that the campaign aims, among other things, to ensure that no child suffers from hunger or malnutrition, no child drops out of school, and child labor and child marriage are eliminated. The initiative also seeks to raise public awareness about reducing the use and improper disposal of single-use plastic products.
The programme was conducted by Ripon Halder, Programme Officer of World Vision Bangladesh's Rajshahi City ADP. Junior Programme Officer Arjun Roy and other officials and employees of the organization were also present.