Consequences of Maternal Mortality in Bangladesh Rural Families an Experience of Gonoshasthaya Kendra (GK) 2008-2018

Abstract

An estimated 529,000 women, from developing countries including Bangladesh, continue to die each year from maternal causes (www.thelancet.com, 2006). In contrast, progress in reducing levels of maternal mortality, making pregnancy and childbearing safer for women, despite being a central element of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), has been much slower. To achieve this goal the GK has been working since 1972, to reduce maternal mortality and to provide better health services. The objective of this paper is to examine the success rate and to provide the facts that helping to reduce maternal mortality in GK areas. GK has increased its coverage to more than 1.2 million rural population with 43 PHC centers in 631 villages across the country with 5 referral hospitals. This paper discusses maternal mortality in rural Bangladesh, using maternal mortality registration data from 19 Gonoshasthaya health program areas along with 10 health sub-centers for the period from 2008-2018. After the registration of pregnant women, paramedics follow up by offering antenatal and post-natal care services. The study was conducted by analyzing the panel data in the period of 14th April 2008 to 13th April 2018. The findings showed out of 3125236 female population, aged 15-49,16711 died during the study period yielding an adult death rate of 0.64 per 1000 female population. This finding suggests that maternal mortality would reduce further if women had access to adequate health care during pregnancy and child birth.