Health experts at a dialogue have stressed on stopping child marriage to ensure safe motherhood for reducing maternal and neonatal mortality rates to attain the sustainable development
goals (SDGs), reports BSS.
They made the observation at a radio dialogue on “Safe Motherhood” organised by Rangpur Kendra of Bangladesh Betar at Sadar upazila parisahd auditorium in the city on Monday afternoon.
Around 200 adolescents, pregnant mothers, women, health officials, public representatives, teachers, students, civil society members and local elite participated in the event.
Rangpur Sadar Upazila Chairman Nasima Zaman Boby attended the dialogue as the chief guest with Regional Director of Rangpur Kendra of Bangladesh Betar Dr. Harun Ar Rashid in the chair.
Deputy Civil Surgeon Dr. Kaniz Sabiha, Sadar Upazila Nirbahi Officer Sadiya Ishraat Sumi, Upazila Health and Family Planning Officer Dr. Rabi Sankar Mandal and Upazila Family Planning Officer ATM Nazmul Huda addressed as panel discussants.
The Deputy Civil Surgeon discussed importance of ensuring maternal health services of pregnant mothers at hospitals, health complexes and other places for safe motherhood to further reduce the maternal and neonatal death rates.
“Child marriage is the major reason behind maternal and neonatal deaths,” she said putting emphasis on preventing the social menace to ensure safe motherhood and sound health of mothers and infants.
Dr. Rabi Sankar stressed on ensuring marriage of young girls at their minimum age of 18 years to ensure safe pregnancy of pregnant mothers for safe delivery.
The chief guest called for sensitising common people to stop child marriage as the under 18-year age group pregnant mothers remain under maximum risks during pregnancy, delivery and post delivery periods.
“Child marriage must be stopped for ensuring safe motherhood,” she said and urged health service providers to work sincerely for ensuring safe motherhood of pregnant mothers to reduce maternal and neonatal deaths for attaining SDGs by 2030.
