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WHO launches
initiative to reduce maternal mortality
The initiative on
"Strengthening National Menstrual Regulation
Programme for Reduction of Maternal Mortality and
Morbidity in Bangladesh" was officially launched
yesterday, 23 June 2008, in Dhaka.
 The
objective of this initiative is to ensure quality of
MR services and its availability to underserved
groups. A Challenge Fund of $2.73 million,
established with the funding from the Netherlands
Ministry of Development Cooperation, will support
innovative proposals that address delivery of
quality MR services, demand-side barriers and
improving knowledge and evidence base for MR policy
and programme directions. WHO has invited interested
NGOs working on MR, professional and research
institutions to submit concept notes and project
proposals. Grants will be awarded through a
competitive process.
WHO will provide support to the Government of
Bangladesh in its in-built stewardship role in the
MR programme implementation as well as the partner
MR NGOs and institutions during the implementation
of the projects under the Challenge Fund. The latter
will include individual advisory support as well as
quality assurance of project design through
independent review committees.
 The
Secretary of the Ministry of Health & Family
Welfare, Mr AKM Zafar Ullah Khan, launched the new
initiative.
The WHO Representative in Bangladesh, Dr Duangvadee
Sungkhobol, reiterated her pledge to continue its
support of the Government of Bangladesh, as a
technical agency, and help generate valuable data
and evidence for policy-makers, and subsequently
work on producing norms, standards, policies, and
strategies related to MR and the broader issue of
reproductive health, for ensuring better health of
Bangladeshi women.
Dr Fritz Meijndert, Head of Development Cooperation,
Embassy of the Netherlands, said that the Government
of Netherlands has made available funds for the
initiative as a reflection of its commitment and
support to Bangladesh, in its prioritized endeavor
to address the leading causes of maternal morbidity
and mortality.
 Dr
Mohammed Abul Faiz, Director-General of Directorate
General of Health Services, also spoke at the
official function, which was chaired by Dr.Quomaran
Nessa Khanam, Director- General of the
Directorate-General of Family Planning.
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