Bangladesh to Boost Primary Healthcare with 25,000 New Midwife Positions

• The Government of Bangladesh has committed to creating 25,000 midwifery posts to integrate skilled professionals into its primary health care system.
• The initiative, supported by the UNFPA, aims to reduce preventable maternal and newborn deaths through improved sexual and reproductive health access.
• Collaborative efforts with Sweden and international partners will focus on workforce deployment, governance, and sustained healthcare financing.

National Commitments and Actions

• Bangladesh: Deploying midwives nationwide and connecting local health services via a modern digital health infrastructure.
• Sierra Leone: Announced plans to recruit 3,000 additional midwives by 2030.
• Ethiopia: Strengthening the role of midwives within the existing health care extension system.
• Nepal: Emphasizing the integration of frontline health workers to build climate-resilient health systems.

Implementation Goals

• Expanding access to essential reproductive health services by embedding qualified midwives within primary health care teams.
• Improving regulatory frameworks, ensuring adequate resources, and protecting midwives in the workplace.
• Promoting midwife leadership in health governance and ensuring women's voices are amplified in health policy decisions.
• Scaling up global efforts through the UNFPA Midwifery Accelerator initiative, which currently includes over 50 countries working toward 2030 targets.