The Department of Nursing and Midwifery (DGNM) and Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) have launched a new collaboration to deliver midwifery-led sexual and reproductive health services in selected urban health centres under DSCC, formalised on Wednesday (September 3) through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
Md Zahirul Islam, Chief Executive Officer of DSCC, presided over the MoU signing ceremony, which took place at the Buriganga meeting room of Nagar Bhaban.
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) facilitated this initiative, with funding from the Swedish International Development Agency (Sida) and support from Jhpiego Bangladesh.
Under the agreement, DGNM will provide technical guidance, training, and professional development for midwives, and will support the creation of permanent midwifery positions in line with national policy.
DSCC will provide infrastructure, medical equipment, and administrative support to integrate midwives into urban health centres and will aim to expand affordable and quality healthcare for residents.
Md Zahirul Islam, CEO of DSCC, said: "This MoU has opened a new horizon in protecting the health of mothers and newborns and reducing maternal and child mortality." He noted DSCC's commitment to expanding maternity and reproductive health services, with midwifery services to be introduced in all health centres in phases.
DSCC currently provides round-the-clock midwifery services at Dhaka Metropolitan General Hospital and Nazirabazar Matri Sadan.
Speaking at the event, UNFPA Bangladesh Representative Dr Abu Said Hasan said the partnership is an important step towards sustainable, high-quality reproductive health services in Dhaka South and will support progress towards the SDGs.
The MoU was signed by the DGNM Director General (Additional Charge), Md Anwar Hossain Akand, and the DSCC CEO, Md Zahirul Islam. Senior officials from DSCC, DGNM, UNFPA, Jhpiego, and partner organisations were present.
