Berlin:Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Hussain announced that the Bangladesh government is committed to increasing the health sector's allocation to five percent of GDP and plans to recruit 25,000 midwives into the public healthcare system within the next few years.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the minister emphasized the crucial role of midwives in providing safe and effective healthcare for mothers and newborns, highlighting their impact on improving antenatal care, safe delivery, emergency medical referrals, and postnatal care.
Speaking at a minister-level roundtable in Berlin titled "Accelerating Midwifery and South-South Partnerships for Health Security From Crisis to Resilience," the minister outlined the government's view of investing in midwives as a national investment aimed at reducing maternal and newborn deaths while lowering overall healthcare costs.
Sakhawat noted ongoing efforts to modernize infrastructure at 62 educational institutions to enhance midwifery education quality, including initiatives for hands-on training and technology-driven learning. He stressed the importance of regional cooperation to address health worker shortages, mentioning Bangladesh's knowledge exchange and joint training programs with Nepal and Pakistan.
The minister expressed gratitude to development partners, especially the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), for their role in expanding maternal and reproductive healthcare services. He also acknowledged midwives' significant contributions during climate-related disasters and humanitarian efforts, such as those for the Rohingyas in Cox's Bazar, highlighting their role in maintaining essential healthcare services even during crises.
Sakhawat reiterated Bangladesh's commitment to enhancing midwives' skills and investing in them to safeguard women, children, and the nation's future economy.