Every childbirth should be attended by a skilled midwife. But there are a total of 660 midwives registered under the Bangladesh Nursing and...
Every childbirth should be attended by a skilled midwife. But there are a total of 660 midwives registered under the Bangladesh Nursing and Midwifery Council. Nira Khatun is one of them. She works at the Matarbari union health and family planning complex in Maheskhali upazila, Cox’s Bazar. She talked to Prothom Alo on various aspects of midwifery.Prothom Alo (PA): What do you feel is your greatest achievement as a midwife?
Nira Khatun (NK): A midwife provides a mother with service before childbirth, during delivery of the child and for 42 days after delivery. The greatest achievement of a midwife is to give the mother and the family a child and to ensure the mother remains healthy too.
PA: What are the obstacles faced by the midwife?
NK: Midwifery is a new profession and many people do not know much about it. It was difficult to establish myself as a midwife and to win the confidence of the people. The biggest challenge was leaving my family, adjusting to a cyclone-affected area and ensuring our work was a success. Then there were language problems, poor road communication and a certain degree of social resistance.
PA: As a newly qualified midwife, what changes would you like to bring about to midwifery education so that you can have a contribution to the profession?
NK: I would like the midwifery courses to be introduced to a separate institution so there will be adequate facilities for training in this vocation. Alongside improved midwifery education, the trainees must also understand state of medical treatment at the rural level.
PA: In what ways can a woman be encouraged to ensure safe childbirth?
NK: A midwife can play a significant role in preventing maternal and neonatal mortality. A midwife has to encourage a woman to ensure safe childbirth. She will increase the awareness of the woman and of her family as well. An expectant mother has to come on a minimum of eight visits. They must be apprised about health care during pregnancy and plans for safe delivery.
PA: What do you feel is important in Bangladesh to improve maternal and child health?
NK: Public awareness is essential for the improvement of maternal and child health. In our country girls get married early and have children early. This puts both the mother and the child at risk. Today’s girl will be a woman tomorrow. If we can prepare the future mother from today to be a sound mother tomorrow, then the future of maternal and child heath in the country will improve.
PA: What can the government do to support the midwives who work in the village areas?
NK: The government must definitely allow the midwives to work independently if they want to ensure quality service. As in other countries, Bangladesh must have free ambulance facilities. There must be an adequate supply of essential drugs. There must be legal provisions in place to avoid any sort of hassles.
PA: Where do you want to see yourself in the next 10 years?
NK: I want to work to carry profession forward like any other profession. I want to stand by the side of all mothers including the poor and the needy. I want to become a thoroughly skilled midwife through higher education. I want in the next 10 years that each and every childbirth be attended by a skilled midwife. I look forward to a bright future for midwives.
