Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Husain has reaffirmed the government's commitment to gradually increase the health sector allocation to 5% of gross domestic product (GDP) and recruit 25,000 midwives into the public healthcare system over the next few years.
He made the remarks at a ministerial roundtable titled “Accelerating Midwifery and South-South Partnerships for Health Security: From Crisis to Resilience” in Berlin, Germany, on Sunday.
The health minister said midwives play a crucial role in ensuring safe, dignified and life-saving healthcare for mothers and newborns. They help improve antenatal care, safe childbirth, emergency referrals and postnatal services.
He said the government considers investment in midwives not an expense but a national investment that helps reduce maternal and newborn deaths and lower overall healthcare costs.
Sakhawat Husain said infrastructure at 62 educational institutions across the country was being modernized to improve the quality of midwifery education. Initiatives have also been taken to introduce hands-on training, simulation-based learning and technology-driven education.
The minister stressed the importance of regional cooperation in addressing the shortage of healthcare workers. Bangladesh is strengthening knowledge-sharing, faculty exchanges and joint training programs with Nepal and Pakistan, he said.
He also praised development partners, particularly the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), for their contributions to expanding maternal and reproductive healthcare services.
Highlighting the role of midwives during climate-related disasters and humanitarian operations for Rohingya refugees in Cox's Bazar, the minister said they work on the front lines to ensure continuity of life-saving maternal healthcare during crises.
He reaffirmed the government's commitment to continued investment in midwives and strengthening their skills to protect women, children and the country's future economy.
