Bangladesh specialists call for more maternal, child care

Some 28,000 Bangladesh mothers die during childbirth each year and 375,000 become debilitated, according to a statement from the Obstetrical and Gynecological Society of Bangladesh which held its first international conference in Dhaka in December. 1992. Almost 300,000 babies do not survive childbirth, the society said recently. The society calculates that, of the 4 million births in Bangladesh each year, around 600,000 require clinic or hospital facilities and 200,000 require cesarean section. At present hospitals account for barely 40,000 deliveries and around 25,000 cesarean sections are carried out each year. Bangladesh not only lacks hospital beds, equipment, and nurses but also needs 1000 more specialists in obstetrics and gynecology, the society's statement said. The society called for a National Council on Maternal and Child Health, headed by the prime minister. The council should be supported by a technical committee and Maternal and Child Health should be a full directorate in the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. The society recommended setting minimum standards for health education, nutrition, and treatment of anemia, immunization, screening for high-risk pregnancies, safe delivery, referral, transport, neonatal and postpartum care, infant care, and treatment of unsafe abortion. Collaboration with non governmental organizations should be the basis for providing more facilities and equipment, training more staff, and ensuring adequate transport to hospital, the society said.