International Day of the Midwife (IDM), observed on 5 May every year, offers an opportunity to recognise the contributions midwives make towards the health and wellbeing of a nation. This year, the international theme was ‘Midwives, Mothers & Families: Partners for Life!’
In Dhaka, the Developing Midwives Project (DMP) of JPGSPH joined the Dhaka urban team of Obstetrical and Gynecological Society of Bangladesh hospital to take part in a rally. Following the rally, an open dialogue to exchange views was organised by the Bangladesh Nursing and Midwifery Council (in partnership with UNFPA, USAID, BRAC University, Innovations for Poverty Action, Bangladesh Midwifery Society, Maternal and Child Health Integrated Program, and International Confederation of Midwives). Sardar Abul Kalam (Honourable Additional Secretary, Health Education and Family Welfare Division, MoHFW) was present among other dignitaries from the Government of Bangladesh, private sector, academia, private sector, and mainstream media. At the open dialogue, Subhash Chandra Sarkar (Additional Secretary, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare) said that the Government will look to absorb 600 midwives in the public health system before the next IDM. This news ushered in a general round of applause.
All seven Academic Sites of DMP located in Mirpur, Sylhet, Mymensingh, Cox’s Bazaar, Dinajpur and Khulna observed the day simultaneously. They invited local government officials and the civil society, organised pop-up health centres for the community people, extended free health checkups, and pre-and postnatal support for the people in their locality.