Gobindaganj: The Santal Health Project has reached a significant milestone, achieving 700 safe deliveries for mothers, primarily from the ethnic Santal community, at the Sapmara Union Health and Family Welfare Center (UHFWC) in Gobindaganj upazila of Gaibandha. This accomplishment underscores the importance of enhancing healthcare and modern reproductive health services for underprivileged women.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the success of providing institutional delivery services is a result of collaborative efforts by LAMB Hospital, UNFPA, health and family planning departments, and local government institutions (LGIs). This partnership has set a distinctive example of trust-building within the community and collaboration among various stakeholders.
The initiative has made significant progress in improving maternal and reproductive health, leaving a lasting impact on the Santal community and paving the way for further achievements towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). A notable moment in this journey was when Sumita Soren, 21, from Kalupukur village in Ghoraghat upazila of Dinajpur, safely gave birth to a baby boy at the Sapmara UHFWC on October 21, 2025, marking the project's 700th delivery.
"This momentous occasion has generated a wave of pleasure and discussion, highlighting the growing success and trust in institutional deliveries within the local communities," Project Manager Mohammad Ali told BSS. The Sapmara UHFWC operates 24/7, providing institutional deliveries with the assistance of two skilled Santal midwives, Minoti Murmu, 30, and Silvia Mardy, 29, who joined the center in 2020 under the 'Santal Health Project' implemented by LAMB.
Midwives play a crucial role in ensuring safe deliveries, especially for marginalized Santal indigenous mothers, by providing necessary care and expertise during delivery. The UHFWC also offers comprehensive antenatal (ANC) and postnatal (PNC) check-ups for pregnant mothers, referring them to higher health service facilities if advanced care is needed.
In addition to deliveries, the center provides family planning services, including both permanent and temporary contraceptive methods, along with counseling to ensure safe pregnancies. "In the community, we tell people that all services we provide to make women's lives better, safer, and healthier are free, which encourages them to come to the UHFWC for safe deliveries, ANC, and PNC services," said Silvia.
Since July 2020, the midwives have conducted 705 normal vaginal deliveries (NVD) and provided ANC to pregnant mothers, including those from the Santal community. They have also counseled adolescents, conducted health education, and provided child care to newborns during this period.
Local traditional birth attendants previously performed deliveries using unsafe methods, causing pain and casualties. The Santal Health Project's activities are crucial in reducing maternal and neonatal deaths by inspiring women to avail themselves of SRHR, ANC, and PNC services.
Manager Liaison of LAMB Hospital Mahatab Litan emphasized the importance of sustaining this momentum to ensure the ongoing availability of reproductive healthcare services for this marginalized community. The success story of the Santal Health Project should continue to inspire and ensure the healthcare needs of the community are met.