Obstetrics and Gynecology is a critical specialty in safeguarding the health of
women, mothers, and newborns. In Bangladesh, significant progress has been made
in reducing maternal and neonatal mortality rates, yet several persistent challenges
continue to hinder optimal outcomes. These challenges require not only clinical
expertise but also systemic, policy-level, and community-driven interventions.
One of the foremost concerns is limited access to quality maternal healthcare in
rural and underserved areas. Despite the availability of healthcare facilities, many
women face barriers due to geographic distance, lack of transportation, inadequate
staffing, and socio-cultural constraints. This leads to delays in seeking care, reaching
care, and receiving adequate care – the well-known “three delays” that contribute to
preventable complications and deaths.
Another pressing challenge is the shortage of skilled healthcare professionals,
especially midwives and trained obstetricians, in peripheral areas. Overburdened
facilities and inadequate human resources often compromise the quality of antenatal,
intrapartum, and postnatal care.