UNFPA - United Nations Population Fund

Published purpose

The project seeks to increase the quality and quantity of health services for mothers and newborns by supporting the Joint Government of Bangladesh-UN Maternal and Neonatal Health Initiative. The project targets current challenges such as inconsistent quality of services and the fact that mothers, for a variety of reasons, hesitate to use such services even when they do exist. The project takes place at the local level in districts and communities and focuses on poor and marginalized populations. It includes activities such as: (1) providing training and information for mothers about harmful health practices and the need to use and demand better services; (2) providing technical assistance and support to improve local level planning by the government; (3) supporting coordination between non-governmental organizations and the government to develop better services; and (4) providing training to improve the skills of doctors, nurses and other community-based health personnel. Canada’s contribution expands the original initiative to include seven new districts. This project is part of Canada's Maternal, Newborn and Child Health commitment.