Representational photo. Collected

DHAKA, May 15, 2026 (BSS) - Maternal mortality is regarded as a critical public health issue that demands greater awareness, timely medical care and institutional delivery services to reducing tragic deaths.

Reproductive health of women is measured by maternal mortality rate in Bangladesh, where many women continue to die every year from preventable pregnancy and childbirth complications.

The death of a pregnant mother is not only a medical tragedy but also the loss of two lives, leaving families devastated and exposing gaps in healthcare systems meant to protect women during one of the most vulnerable periods of their lives.

Across hospitals and rural communities, preventable complications during pregnancy and childbirth continue to claim the lives of mothers who should have safely returned home with their newborns.

Twenty-seven-year-old Ayesha Begum from Alambidit village under Gangachara upazila in Rangpur district was nine months pregnant when she suddenly developed severe abdominal pain one day.

Believing that labour had started, she stayed at home and called a local midwife while waiting for delivery.

Soon after, Ayesha began bleeding heavily, but neither her family nor the midwife sought immediate medical assistance. She was eventually taken to a local health centre after her condition became critical, where she later died.

The attending doctor said her life could likely have been saved had she been brought to the health facility earlier, as trained healthcare workers are equipped to handle such emergencies.

Doctors said many women continue to die during and after childbirth due to preventable complications and that even basic awareness could save mothers from unexpected deaths.

Former professor of the Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics at Dhaka Medical College and Hospital and prominent gynecologist at Central Hospital Dr. Farhana Dewan said, “Mothers die for two main reasons. Usually, more mothers die due to convulsions and hemorrhage during or after childbirth. Convulsions can often occur before or after delivery. For this reason, prenatal checkups are important. Through checkups, it is known whether she may have such problems and accordingly, she is given medicine or informed about the rules and regulations. Anyone who has the possibility of convulsions must have their delivery in the hospital as the risk of death is very high.”

She said, “Hemorrhage can occur during pregnancy or during labour pain or after it. For this reason, pregnant women should go to the hospital instead of trying to deliver at home as doctors take necessary measures. We give an injection before delivery so that there is no possibility of bleeding. But the skilled or unskilled midwife at home does not know.”

However, she added that mothers can still be saved if they are taken to hospitals or health centres immediately after the onset of convulsions or bleeding.

According to UNICEF statistics, nearly 5,000 women die every year in Bangladesh from complications related to pregnancy, childbirth and the postpartum period. Many maternal deaths occur during home deliveries without skilled birth attendants, while others result from the lack of timely prenatal care at hospitals or health centres.

Maternal and adolescent health expert of UNICEF Md Sayem said maternal mortality remains high because many rural women do not utilize available hospital and health centre services despite adequate facilities.

Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) Mother Health Programme Officer Dr Azizul Alim said the government is providing special training to health workers and health managers to reduce maternal mortality.

“The government also has such services in remote areas. For this, people should be aware and go to hospitals or health centres instead of home delivery as there are all kinds of facilities there,” he said.

He added, “We are also working with some partner organizations. They provide various trainings to our staffs and conduct research work. For example, if a mother dies during childbirth, they prepare a detailed report identifying the causes. Based on that report, we take various plans and steps.”

He said the government is working sincerely in a scientific and realistic manner to reduce the maternal mortality rate.

“In addition, the government is providing maternity allowance in 56 districts so that poor and needy mothers can receive nutritious food and necessary services during pregnancy,” he added.

To reduce maternal mortality, he said, mothers should follow healthcare guidelines from the beginning of pregnancy until the first few months after childbirth and remain aware of the importance of seeking care at hospitals and health centres.