Engaging communities to improve maternal and newborn health in Netrakona district, Bangladesh

Background: In the effort to assist Bangladesh in reaching Millennium Development Goals (MDG) 4 and 5, Ministry of Health, PARI Development Trust and other partners, supported by Enfants du Monde, implemented a maternal and newborn health (MNH) programme based on the WHO framework for working with Individuals, Families and Communities (IFC) in Netrakona district. The programme's focus is building the capacities of women and families to prepare for birth and emergencies, to increase skilled attendance at birth, and to ensure the support of the broader community.

Methods: Community involvement is central to each phase of programme implementation. In collaboration with healthcare providers, the community is mobilized to identify MNH problems and elaborates a birth and emergency preparedness (BEP) plan, implemented with the assistance of community healthcare workers who educate and motivate women and families. During meetings, communities explore solutions to barriers to healthcare access.

Results: All actors involved in MNH have been trained in BEP, and many women have been assisted in developing BEP plans. Healthcare providers have noticed an increase in women seeking antenatal care following awareness campaigns. Through mobilization efforts, communities have purchased three rickshaw vans for transporting pregnant women and established seven health funds to provide interest-free loans for costs related to pregnancy and birth.

Conclusion: Communities, when assisted and given the necessary tools, can be empowered to take a leading role in addressing the risks faced by mothers and newborns and overcoming barriers to healthcare access, thus optimizing the potential to achieve MDG 4 and 5.