By Md. Abdul Hannan
World Health Day was observed globally on 7th April with the theme focusing on maternal and newborn health: “Healthy Beginnings, hopeful Futures.” Highlighing the importance of maternal and newborn health.
It was not just a day of recognition, but the beginning of a year-long global campaign dedicated to promoting the health and well-being of mothers and babies worldwide.
In Bangladesh, this day marked the beginning of a year-long campaign aimed at improving the health and well-being of mothers and babies. The focus is to ensure that every woman has access to quality care during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postnatal period, so that both mothers and newborns can have a healthy start to life.
The World Health Organization (WHO), in collaboration with international partners, urges governments and health communities across the globe to prioritize long-term health strategies for women, not just during pregnancy, but throughout their lives.
The campaign emphasizes the importance of safe pregnancies, respectful childbirth, and comprehensive postnatal care.
The day reminds us that each year, an estimated 260,000 women lose their lives due to pregnancy-related complications, around 2 million babies die within the first month of life, and approximately 2 million more are stillborn. That adds up to nearly one preventable death every seven seconds, which is a tragic and urgent call to action.
Women and families everywhere deserve high-quality, respectful, and compassionate healthcare that supports them physically, emotionally, and mentally before, during, and after childbirth. In many low-resource settings, including parts of Bangladesh, pregnancy-related complications often go undetected and untreated. This kind of neglect must no longer be overlooked.
Health systems must become more inclusive and holistic, addressing not only maternal and newborn care but also mental health conditions, non-communicable diseases, and family planning services. Investing in maternal health is not just a moral responsibility. It is essential for building resilient families, healthy communities, and a hopeful future for all.
On this World Health Day, WHO is calling for a renewed global commitment to ensure women everywhere have access to skilled health providers who are able to listen carefully, respond effectively, and respect their needs. When women are empowered to make informed decisions about their health and their lives, entire communities experience the benefits.
Throughout the year, WHO and its partners will collaborate with mothers, healthcare professionals, and local communities to raise awareness, share vital information, and promote simple, life-saving practices that support healthier pregnancies and safer births.
However, despite strong global momentum, it is disheartening to observe that in many areas of Bangladesh, particularly at the Upazila level, World Health Day often goes unnoticed. Local health authorities, by bypassing the media and public engagement, fail to emphasize the significance of the day. This lack of local involvement weakens both national and international efforts to highlight maternal and newborn health as a priority.
Let us begin the change from this moment forward. Let us carry the message of “Healthy Beginnings, Hopeful Futures” not just on 7 April, but every single day—through meaningful action, stronger advocacy, and a deepened sense of shared responsibility for the well-being of our future generations.
The writer is a media personality and president of the Bera Press Club, Pabna.