By Dr Bardan Jung Rana, WHO Representative to Bangladesh
Safe motherhood means ensuring all women receive the care they need to be safe and healthy throughout pregnancy and childbirth. Motherhood should be a time of expectation and joy for a woman, her family and the community.
The theme of this year’s celebrations of Safe Motherhood Day is “Stay at home during Coronavirus, Keep mother and newborn safe from Coronavirus” (“করোনার কালে ঘরে থাকি, মা ও শিশুকে নিরাপদ রাখি।”)
The outbreak of Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has been declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. This pandemic brought new challenges across the globe as well as in Bangladesh. Special attention needs to be paid to prevent and minimize negative consequences of COVID-19 for pregnant women and newborns. All pregnant women, including those with confirmed or suspected COVID-19 infections, have the right to high quality care before, during and after childbirth. This includes antenatal, newborn, postnatal, intrapartum and mental health care.
There are simple steps we can all take to keep ourselves, our loved ones and the most vulnerable safe from COVID-19. At this moment, staying at home has most rewarding benefits. Pregnant women should stay home unless they need urgent medical care. Some Ante Natal Care visits may be undertaken via teleconference using a phone or other electronic device, when the woman does not require physical assessments and tests or investigations.
There is not enough evidence to determine whether the virus is transmitted from a mother to her baby during pregnancy, or the potential impact this may have on the baby. Pregnant women should continue to follow appropriate precautions to protect themselves from exposure to the virus and seek medical care early if experiencing symptoms such as fever, cough or difficulty breathing.
Considering the benefits of breastfeeding to newborns all mother needs to continue breastfeeding, while applying all the necessary precautions.
The Government of Bangladesh has significantly increased the provision of Emergency Obstetric Care services along with appropriate referral of obstetric complications, on time, and access to appropriate care to combat COVID-19.
WHO remains committed to collaborating closely with the Government and assures its continued assistance to further accelerate fighting against COVID-19 through capacity building with evidence based practice in maternal and neonatal care and in contributing to give all women in Bangladesh their right to Safe Motherhood.
I wish every success for Safe Motherhood Day in Bangladesh.