Ban lauds Bangladesh’s progress on women’s and children’s health
(N0vember 17, 2011) The United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Tuesday spotlighted
the progress made by Bangladesh in advancing women’s and children’s health, lauding
the South Asian nation for its efforts to end the tragedy of millions of needless
deaths. Last year Mr. Ban launched the Global Strategy for Women’s and Children’s
Health, which has received the support of many developing countries, including Bangladesh.
The strategy is supported by Every Woman Every Child, a global effort to mobilize
and intensify global action to save the lives of 16 million women and children and
improve the lives of millions more. “Bangladesh showed its vision early on,” Mr. Ban
noted at a dinner held in the capital, Dhaka, in support of the initiative, adding
that the Government met the challenge with ambitious plans. These included bolstering
the health workforce, doubling the number of babies who are born with the supervision
of a skilled health worker, and making sure that all health centres in all sub-districts
have a midwife available at all times, day or night. This dedication paid off, said
Mr. Ban, noting that Bangladesh is one of only 16 countries on track to reach the
Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) to cut the deaths of mothers and children. “Bangladesh
is proof that governments have to set the stage for effective health care,” he stated.
“But the private sector and civil society have to help deliver it.” the Secretary-General
also visited a community health clinic in the north-east of Bangladesh to spotlight
the importance of ensuring access to women’s health care in rural areas.