April 4, 2025
DHAKA – A recent UN study revealed that Bangladesh records over 63,000 stillbirths each year, meaning there is one stillborn in every 41 births, the highest rate in the region.
Meanwhile, another study showed that over 1 lakh children in Bangladesh die before reaching five, with nearly two-thirds of those deaths occurring within the first 28 days of being born.
The new reports were published by the United Nations Inter-Agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UN IGME) recently. While progress has been made since 1990, Bangladesh continues to record the highest rate of stillbirths in South Asia.
Experts said Bangladesh faces significant challenges in maternal and newborn care, with the country needing to save an additional 28,000 newborns annually to meet its Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target.
“Over 1,00,000 newborns in Bangladesh die annually from preventable causes such as premature birth, complications during delivery, and infections like sepsis and pneumonia,” said Farook Adrian Doomun, deputy representative (operations) of Unicef in Bangladesh.
This violates their basic need — the right to survive and thrive, he said. He stressed the need for increased investment in strengthening the healthcare system, particularly in primary healthcare, and expanding the number of trained professionals, including midwives, to ensure safe births.
WHO Representative in Bangladesh Dr Ahmed Jamsheed Mohamed, said, “Stillbirths and preventable child deaths remain a heartbreaking reality. While Bangladesh has made significant progress in maternal and child health, disparities in access to quality and timely care persist.”
He emphasised that implementing WHO’s prenatal, labour and delivery, and postnatal care recommendations, along with strengthening healthcare systems, is essential to reversing these trends.
The reports identify several factors contributing to high newborn mortality and stillbirth rates in Bangladesh. One of the key issues is the high number of home deliveries, which account for 30 percent of all births in the country. Many of these births take place without skilled medical assistance, increasing the risk of complications.
Another major concern is the limited access to specialised care for small and sick newborns. Many rural areas lack proper healthcare facilities, leaving newborns without essential medical attention.
The shortage of trained midwives also remains a critical issue. Many women do not have access to skilled birth attendants near their homes, making normal vaginal deliveries riskier, the report said.
Additionally, inadequate postnatal care and the absence of 24/7 quality healthcare services at the upazila level contribute to preventable deaths.
The unregulated private healthcare sector further complicates the situation, as inconsistent medical practices can lead to substandard care, the report said. It added that poor prenatal and labour care, along with the lack of prevention and management of pregnancy-related diseases, exacerbated the crisis. Insufficient funding and limited resources continue to hinder progress in reducing maternal and child mortality rates.
With only five years left to achieve the SDG targets, experts stress the need for immediate action. WHO and Unicef urged the interim government of Bangladesh to increase the number of facility births attended by skilled professionals, including midwives at the union level.
Expanding newborn care units in hospitals and community clinics is also crucial.
More trained nurses and midwives are needed to ensure better maternal and newborn care. Enhancing prenatal, delivery, and postnatal services can significantly improve survival rates.
Additionally, boosting funding for medical staff, essential drugs, and life-saving equipment is necessary to strengthen the healthcare system.
“Through strong government commitment, sustained investment in primary healthcare, and adherence to global best practices, we can prevent these tragic losses and build a healthier future for every child,” said Jamsheed Mohamed.
Despite commendable progress, Bangladesh’s healthcare system requires urgent reforms to curb preventable deaths and ensure a safer future for mothers and children, the report said, adding that the time to act is now.
GRAPHICS: THE DAILY STAR