Canada is supporting Bangladesh in improving primary healthcare systems for women, children, and adolescents through a partnership with UNICEF and UNFPA.
The five-year project, titled 鈥楬ealth System Strengthening for Primary Health Care,鈥� aims to address critical gaps in the healthcare system, particularly in five underserved rural areas 鈥� Kurigram, Bhola, Khagrachari, Sherpur, and Sunamganj. The project will work to reduce maternal and child mortality while promoting gender equality and access to quality healthcare, according to a UNICEF press release on Tuesday.
The Canadian-funded project targets over 1.9 million women of reproductive age, including nearly two-thirds, who are adolescent girls, and nearly 6 million children, including newborns and those under five years old, ensuring they have access to essential healthcare services.
Despite progress over the past decade, maternal mortality in Bangladesh remains a significant concern. The rate decreased from 194 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2010 to 136 in 2023; however, many of these deaths are still due to preventable conditions like hemorrhage and eclampsia. This reduction is still far from the Sustainable Development Goal of 70 deaths per 100,000 live births by 2030, read the release.
鈥楾his project aims not only to improve health outcomes in the five underperforming districts but also to strengthen health systems 鈥� better planning of budgets and human resources and improved quality of care,鈥� said Canadian high commissioner Lilly Nicholls.
The release noted that adolescent girls remain at greater risk due to high rates of early marriage, gender-based violence, malnutrition, and a lack of sexual and reproductive health services. Additionally, 35 per cent of births still occur at home without skilled care, increasing the risks for both mothers and newborns.
Key aspects of the project will focus on gender-responsive and rights-based services in sexual, reproductive, maternal, newborn, child, and adolescent health, as well as addressing environmental impacts and biomedical waste reduction. This aligns with UNFPA鈥檚 green procurement strategy and UNICEF鈥檚 commitment to sustainable development.
