International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics

The maternal mortality rate in Bangladesh has dropped, putting the nation on track to meet the United Nations (UN) Development Goal 5 by 2015.

According to a Nationwide Maternal Mortality Survey, the number of deaths linked to pregnancy and childbirth dropped 40 per cent from 322 per 100,000 in 2001 to 194 per 100,000 last year.

Reduction in the number of child marriages and an increase in education for women have been credited with the improvement.

Commenting on the figures, health and family welfare minister AFM Ruhal Haque told Bangladesh News 24: "It's really wonderful that we have got ourselves in such a good position. It's due to concerted effort of all."

However, he added: "We must not stop here, we have to work more."

The UN Development Goal 5 is aimed at improving maternal health and hopes to achieve a 75 per cent reduction in the maternal mortality ratio and universal access to reproductive health.

Posted by Alexandra George