The Asia Regional Meeting on “Interventions for Impact in Essential Obstetric and Newborn Care” is being held in Dhaka, from the 3rd to 6th of May, this year to mark the success of Bangladesh in reduction of maternal mortality by 40% over 10 years. To inform about this conference, a press conference was held on the 2nd of May 2012 in Ruposhi Bangla Hotel, Dhaka.

Speakers, present at the press conference emphasized on the objective of this conference and said, it is being organised to learn about the experiences that have lead to this success and for the spread of information of new ways to improve the health status of mothers and children especially those under 5 around the world.

Richard Greene, Mission Director for USAID, Bangladesh, Md. Humayun Kabir, Senior Secretary-MOHFW and Anita Gibson, Deputy Director MCHIP were present at the press conference.

The four day event will focus on the leading causes of death for women and newborns, educating the attendees on the management of PPH and eclampsia; prevention of neonatal sepsis and birth-asphyxia, and neonatal care in general.

An important point highlighted by the speaker Mr Richard Greene, Mission Director USAID, Bangladesh was the usage of mobile phones in maternal health care as a part of antenatal care. He stated the importance of innovation in reducing deaths especially from eclampsia and birth asphyxia.

Also honourable secretary of health ministry, government of Bangladesh, Humayun Kabir spoke on how the government is trying to increase the number of deliveries made in health care facilities, increase the number of skilled birth attendants, and distribute misoprostol and magnesium sulphate at community levels to overall decrease the maternal mortality.  

The organisers of the event are Government of Bangladesh, USAID, MCHIP, Bill and Melinda Gates foundation supported Oxytocin initiative in collaboration with Women Deliver, VSI, FIGO and ICM.

MCHIP is a global project focusing on maternal, newborn and child health including HIV, family planning and immunisation working in 40 countries around the globe.