Maternal health
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© UNICEF Bangladesh/2007/Amin |
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A mother and her newborn in Sirajgong Health Complex where she gave birth, Rajshahi division. |
Maternal mortality
Maternal death is unacceptably common in Bangladesh. Although exact figures are difficult to determine, women have approximately a one in fifty-one chance of dying in childbirth. 12,000 women die each year from pregnancy or childbirth related complications. Only one in four babies whose mothers die during delivery survives the first week of life.
Access to healthcare
These high mortality rates are underpinned by the fact that 85 per cent of women give birth at home without any contact with the formal healthcare system. Only 18 per cent are assisted by skilled health personnel. Cultural barriers and traditions as well as poverty and lack of information prevent women from accessing maternal and newborn health services.
Disability
Among those women and children who survive complications during childbirth, many are left with crippling disabilities that often cause them to be ostracized from the community.
Read about UNICEF’s maternal health projects.
