Engagement of local government to promote maternal and newborn health services: the case of Faridpur district in Bangladesh

Main Article Content

Faridul Julfiker

Abstract

In rural Bangladesh, local government institutions, especially union parishads, play a key role providing essential services for community development. They help connect people with primary healthcare, along with providing nutrition and water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services that reduce the burden of poverty. However, most union parishad officials are not engaged in the promotion of maternal and newborn health (MNH) services in rural areas. Lack of information about their mandated role and responsibilities prevents them from providing MNH services for poor and marginalised communities. Even if they are informed, without the necessary skills to fulfil their role and responsibilities local government officials are struggling to promote quality MNH services within the public facilities in rural areas. To address this problem, Save the Children International engaged local government institutions in a systematic manner to ensure their engagement and contribution to MNH services for rural communities.

Article Details

How to Cite
Julfiker, F. (2024). Engagement of local government to promote maternal and newborn health services: the case of Faridpur district in Bangladesh. Commonwealth Journal of Local Governance, (29), 145-152. https://doi.org/10.5130/cjlg.vi29.8812
Section
Policy and Practice
Author Biography

Faridul Julfiker, Save the Children in Bangladesh

Technical Specialist – Local Government under Health & Nutrition Sector of Save the Children in Bangladesh. Worked with USAID’s MaMoni Maternal and Newborn Health Care Strengthening project of Save the Children as Manager-District Implementation since 2018. Started working with Save the Children in Bangladesh for its Holistic Approach Towards Inclusive Education (HOPE) Project on April 25, 2016, as Deputy Manager- Local Government Strengthening. Started career on July 2006 as Research Associate with James P Grant School of Public Health, BRAC University, then moved to the Plan International Bangladesh as Area Coordinator till 31 March 2016. Completed graduation and post-graduation in Anthropology from Jahangirnagar University, and Bachelor of Law (LL. B) from National University, Bangladesh and diploma in Health System Strengthening from Imperial College, London, UK. Technical expertise on leading and designing strategies for effective implementation of nutrition and community health strategies collaboration with key stakeholders including the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Local Government, Civil Society, Private Sector, Community, and Donor Agency.