Govt to ensure 24-hour delivery facilities for expecting mothers: Maleque

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DHAKA, Nov 17, 2019 (BSS) – With an aim to reduce the newborn mortality rate to under 12 per 1000 live births by 2030 to attain the SDGs, the government would ensure 24-hour delivery facilities for expecting mothers at all public hospitals of the country.

Health and Family Welfare Minister Zahid Maleque stated this today at a conference marking the World Prematurity Day 2019 at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre (BICC) here.

He said if all officials and employees of the health sector work properly, the target of reducing the newborn mortality rate to under 12 per 1000 live births can be achieved within next two years.

National Newborn Health Centre under Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) arranged the conference.

Health Services Division Secretary Md Asadul Islam chaired the function while Nursing and Midwifery Director General Alam Ara Begum, Planning Wing Joint Chief Dr AE Md Mahiuddin Osmani, World Health Organization (WHO) Representative to Bangladesh Dr Bardan Jung Rana and UNICEF Representative to Bangladesh Tomoo Hozumi, among others, addressed the function.

The speakers called for imparting proper training in nursing and midwifery to ensure safe motherhood and reduce child mortality rate.