1.2 govt-run CEmONC facilities serve every 0.5m people in BD: Study

Only 1.2 government-run Comprehensive Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care (CEmONC) facilities serves for every 0.5 million people in the country, according to an assessment study of icddr,b, reports UNB.

The figure fulfils the UN guideline for minimum required number which, however, is not enough as timely accessibility to designated CEmONC facilities is a challenge in many developing countries, the study says.

The icddr,b's Centre for Equity & Health System conducted the assessment study in the country's 24 selected districts. The findings were disseminated at a seminar held at icddr,b's Sasakawa auditorium in the city Monday.

The study reveals that there is a enormous shortfall when only about 2.5 public designated EmONC facilities per 0.5 million people were identified in the study districts. The shortfall was mainly due to low coverage of public designated Basic EmONC (BEmONC) facilities.

Although private facilities in Bangladesh are not designated as EmONC facilities, a substantial number of them offer obstetric and newborn care services in urban areas. In both public and private sectors, most of the study districts have more than 5 facilities per 500,000 people to offer obstetric and newborn care services.

According to UN guideline, for every 500,000 population there should be at least 5 EmONC facilities of which at least one should be able to function as a CEmONC facility to provide nine specific services- caesarean section; blood transfusion; parenteral antibiotics; parenteral oxytocin; parenteral anticonvulsants; manual removal of the placenta; removal of retained products; assisted vaginal delivery; and neonatal resuscitation. The rest will have to function as BEmONC facilities to provide seven specific services (except cesarean section and blood transfusion from the above nine).

The study suggested 10-point recommendation for strengthening of the health system for EmONC services in Bangladesh.

The recommendations include undertaking strategic plan for increased coverage of EmONC services, developing human resource plan for EmONC service delivery, strengthening infrastructural facilities, and ensuring supply of drug equipment and logistics for EmONC services.