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14 Strengthening Maternal Health through Midwife-Led Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) Interventions in Climate-Affected Bangladesh: Evidence from Post-Cyclone Response
May 5 @ 11:00 - 11:50
Speakers:- Animesh Biswas,
Facilitators:- Jane Houston
Abstract:- Background:
Bangladesh, one of the seven countries most vulnerable to climate change globally, experienced major health system disruption when Cyclone Remal struck the southern coastal region on 26 May 2024, affecting 4.6 million people across 19 districts. In response, UNFPA, in coordination with the Ministry of Health and key directorates, implemented a targeted sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) humanitarian response in three of the hardest-hit districts from 1 August to 19 December 2024. Objective: To assess the effects of midwife-led SRHR service delivery, including maternity services at government primary healthcare facilities, during the post-cyclone humanitarian response.
Methods:
Sixteen diploma-qualified skilled midwives were deployed for five months to 12 cyclone-affected union health facilities that previously had no midwives. All midwives were trained on the Minimum Initial Service Package (MISP) for SRHR in humanitarian settings. Service data were extracted from government facility registers for baseline (1 January 30 July 2024) and intervention (1 August 19 December 2024) periods for comparative analysis.
Results:
A total of 8,510 SRHR services were delivered during the intervention compared to 2,734 at baseline. First antenatal care visits increased by 284%, normal vaginal deliveries by 293% (83 to 330), and first postnatal care visits by 984% (764 contacts). Referrals for maternal complications rose by 319% (43 to 180 cases), while family planning services increased by 115% (405 to 870). Midwife deployment also improved documentation, community trust, early risk identification, and facility readiness.
Conclusion:
Midwife-led SRHR interventions during the post-cyclone response significantly strengthened maternal service access, utilization, and referral.
Co-authors Abu Sayed Mohammed Hasan & Vibhavendra Singh Raghuvanshi
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