Dhaka, July 03, 2023 - The U. S. Agency for International Development (USAID) joined the People's Republic of Bangladesh's Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MOHFW) in hosting a learning dissemination event marking the end of the five-year USAID MaMoni Maternal and Newborn Care Strengthening Project (MNCSP). The USAID project, implemented by Save the Children and its consortium partners, shared data detailing improved health outcomes for mothers and newborns across MaMoni's 17 districts in Bangladesh. USAID's MaMoni MNCSP, in collaboration with MOHFW, enhanced the quality of maternal and newborn care services, strengthened health systems, and focused on community engagement to ensure Bangladeshis had access to essential healthcare. By implementing a range of interventions, including building the capacity of healthcare providers, improving health infrastructure and equipment , and supporting maternal and newborn health community awareness campaigns, MaMoni contributed significantly to the government of Bangladesh’s goal of ending preventable maternal and neonatal deaths. Deputy Secretary Md. Nasir Uddin, Director (Administration), Directorate General of Nursing and Midwifery, mentioned that the project expanded the availability of life-saving health interventions for pregnant women, mothers and newborns in the areas in which it operated and reached approximately 35.5 million population. “Working with civil surgeons, health facility managers, and service providers, MaMoni empowered recently deployed graduate midwives to take up their assigned role as the main maternal and newborn healthcare providers in health facilities, particularly at the Upazila Health Complex levels," said the Director. USAID’s MaMoni project interventions have already been incorporated into the MOHFW’s health system, which means that even though the project has come to an end, most of MaMoni’s activities will continue at the national and subnational levels. USAID’s MaMoni project recommends that the Government of Bangladesh continues to work with its implementing partners and donors to not only continue supporting the life-saving interventions in MaMoni-supported districts, but expand them to all 64 of Bangladesh’s districts. USAID Bangladesh's Infectious Diseases Team Lead, Dr. Samina Choudhury also spoke at the event. "By collaborating closely with the Government of Bangladesh, local communities, and other stakeholders, USAID's MaMoni project improved availability of, and access to quality maternal and newborn health services The project directly benefited district and upazila health management and public sector facilities, including medical college hospitals, district hospitals, mother and child welfare centers, upazila health complexes, and union-level health facilities. Guests of honor at the event included: Prof. Dr. Mohammod Shahidullah, President Bangladesh College of Physicians and Surgeons and Chairperson National Technical Working Committee, Newborn Health; Prof. Ferdousi Begum, Immediate Past President, Obstetrical and Gynecological Society of Bangladesh (OGSB); Dr. Md. Azizul Alim, Program Manager- of the Maternal Health Program, Directorate General of Health Services.

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About USAID’s MaMoni Maternal and Newborn Care Strengthening Project: USAID’s MaMoni Maternal and Newborn Care Strengthening Project is a five-year $49.5 million initiative implemented by Save the Children and its consortium partners to improve health outcomes for mothers and newborns in Bangladesh. The project demonstrates proven maternal and newborn health interventions in its 17 project districts and Sandwip island, reaching approximately 35.5 million people.