Bangladeshi birth attendants

In Bangladesh, fewer women are now dying when they have babies. In 2022, the government found that 30 percent of women gave birth at home. But now there are some new workers, 'Skilled Birth Attendants', and they're saving lives.

After receiving training, Skilled Birth Attendants help with the birth itself. They also check pregnant women before their babies are born. This means they can send problem patients to hospitals, if necessary.

Nargis Akhter has worked as an attendant for the last 5 years.

"We classify pregnant women first whether it's a normal pregnancy or a risky pregnancy. Then, if found risky, we tell them not to try for the delivery at home in any way, rather to go to the developed hospitals at Upazila level or district level. Sometimes, I take them to those hospitals myself."

Since 2005, there have been fewer deaths because of these helpers . According to the World Health Organisation, the number's fallen by around 70 percent for both pregnant women and for babies.

Doctor Abdullahel Maruf hopes they'll reach their goal by 2030.

"And per year we are achieving 6 percent less maternal deaths. And if we follow this trend or a bit better, then we can surely achieve SDG [Sustainable Development Goal] in our scheduled time or tentative time by 2030."

A government campaign's also working, outside the large towns. The campaign encourages women to give birth in local health clinics instead of at home.

Mafia, who lost her first baby, now has a newborn baby. She was helped by the clinic and by Nargis.

"My first delivery was at home, by the midwives. They don't have all the facilities with them. They try their best with whatever they have. My first baby died because of time. If the delivery could have been made on time, maybe she would've survived." View Less