Bangladesh for global fund on maternal health

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Bangladesh called for a UNGA special session on Maternal Health and Subsequent Global Plan of Action to devise effective measures for reducing maternal mortality. Health and Family Welfare Adviser Major General (retd) Matiur Rahman mooted proposal at the 'Global Women Deliver Conference' held in London October 18-20, reports UNB.
Bangladesh's proposal was unanimously accepted and incorporated in the ministerial declaration of the conference, said a message received in the city Saturday.
The adviser also called for creation of a global fund for maternal health, involving effective public-private partnership. The Bangladesh delegation, led by the Health Adviser, also proposed access to micro-credit and micro-finance to be recognised as a contributing sector to women empowerment and improvement of maternal health.
General Rahman also held a bilateral meeting with Executive Director of UNFPA Dr Thoraya Obaid on the sidelines of the conference. Obaid praised Bangladesh's success in the areas of health and family welfare, particularly in improving reproductive health, and reducing maternal and infant mortality.
The health adviser sought continued support of the UNFPA country assistance programme towards the implementation by Bang-ladesh of health-related Millennium Development Goals, particularly MDG5 on reducing maternal mortality.
The adviser is leading a six-member delegation to this global conference, organised jointly by UNFPA, the UK, DFID and Women Care International.