Delegates from the London Borough of Camden, United Kingdom led by Councillor Nadia Shah (Mayor of Camden), visited the Academic Site of the Developing Midwives Project (DMP) in Sylhet on 18 January 2017. They expressed their profound appreciation to BRAC University and Shimantik for initiating and implementing the midwifery programme which is crucial to maternal health. Impressed by the midwifery education programme, the Mayor commented that the midwives trained from BRAC University can change the scenario of maternal mortality and morbidity ratio in Bangladesh, leading to future midwifery services in the community when needed.
Councillor Richard Cotton (Deputy Mayor of Camden), Councillor Sarah Hayward (Leader, London Borough of Camden Council), Councillor Sally Gimson (Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Health), Councillor Heather Johnson (Chair of Planning Committee), Councillor Georgia Gould (Cabinet Member for Young People and Economic Growth), Jolil Shah (the Mayor’s consort) and Roxsana Haq (the Mayor’s escort) accompanied the Mayor of Camden during the visit. K M Zahiduzzaman (Operations Manager, DMP, JPGSPH) was present in the meeting with the midwifery students, as was Dr. Ahmed Al Kabir (Chief Patron of Shimantik) who expressed his gratitude for the support of the UK government in funding the Developing Midwives Project. Students from the midwifery programme also shared their personal experiences with the visiting team, with one student sharing her aspiration to contribute to the efforts in addressing issues pertaining to maternal health in Bangladesh, specifically safe delivery care and new-born support.