ICPD30 celebrated three decades of progress and a growing recognition of the critical importance of human-centered sustainable development. This year also marks the 30th anniversary of Partners in Population and Development (PPD), which was established with ten countries during ICPD in 1994 and has since expanded to include 27 member countries representing 60% of the global population.

The Dhaka conference, themed “ICPD 30 – Moving Forward” was jointly organized by the Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, PPD, and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). The primary goal was to leverage South-South and Triangular Cooperation (SSTC) to bolster support for the ICPD30 agenda, demographic change, and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Conference Objectives was to:

1. Review ICPD Programme of Action: Assess the implementation of the ICPD Programme of Action through South-South Cooperation over the past 30 years in PPD member countries.
2. Explore Demographic Change: Examine the impact of demographic changes on sustainable development in PPD countries.
3. Commit to Sustainable Development: Reaffirm member countries’ commitment to sustainable development and global resilience, ensuring the needs of present generations are met without compromising future generations’ ability to meet their needs.
4. Advocate for Future Generations: Promote the highest standard of reproductive health and rights (RHRS) through universal health coverage to ensure healthy lives and well-being for all.
5. Enhance Partnerships: Strengthen partnerships for capacity building and technology transfer to achieve ICPD30.
6. Strengthen Cooperation: Enhance cooperation among member states in response to demographic changes and the SDGs.

The conference drew participation from policymakers and leaders from PPD’s 27 member countries, UN agencies, and other global and regional stakeholders involved in population and reproductive health issues. The event provided a high-level forum for dialogue, advocacy, peer review, and shared commitment.

A key outcome of the conference was the adoption of the “Dhaka Declaration” by 27 PPD member countries, UN agencies, and key stakeholders. This declaration contains tangible commitments and actionable recommendations for reinvigorated South-South Cooperation towards achieving ICPD30+ and the SDGs.

The Government of Bangladesh hosted the event, with PPD and UNFPA as co-organizers. PPD is a ministerial-level inter-governmental body composed of 27 member countries representing over 60% of the world’s population. UNFPA, the UN agency for sexual and reproductive health, co-organized the conference.

The Dhaka conference underscored the global community’s dedication to advancing the ICPD agenda and positioned stakeholders to address the post-2030 population and development challenges.

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The events are:

• 39^th Executive Committee Meeting
• 27^th PPD Board Meeting
• 24^th Partners Country Coordinator (PCC) Meeting
• 21^st International Inter-Ministerial Conference on South-South Cooperation in Population and Development

To ensure the success of these pivotal gatherings, a preparatory meeting was held on 22^nd June 2024 at the PPD Secretariat. Dr. Samanta Lal Sen, the Host Country’s Honorable Minister of Health and Family Welfare, and PPD Board Member presided over the  preparatory meeting.

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Postpartum Hemorrhage poses a significant risk to maternal health, especially in resource-constrained settings like Bangladesh. The training session addressed various aspects of maternal healthcare, including the management of labor stages, prevention of PPH, and the utilization of Misoprostol to mitigate its effects.

Dr. Nazrul Islam, Acting Officer-in-Charge of PPD, delivered introductory remarks underscoring the importance of addressing PPH within the broader context of maternal healthcare. Dr. Md. Muniruzzaman Siddiqui, Director of Maternal and Child Health-Services at DGFP, highlighted the challenges faced by pregnant women in accessing maternal services based on their geographical location.

Dr. S.M. Ahsanul Aziz, Joint Secretary (Population-1) and PPD Affairs Desk Officer at the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MOHFW), commended the SSCAF project for its impactful work and encouraged its replication in other divisions of Bangladesh. Dr. Ashrafi Ahmad, Program Coordinator of PPD and Additional Secretary at MOHFW, reiterated the importance of the training session and urged participants to advocate for the prevention of PPH using Misoprostol.

The Technical training Session and Presentation started with Dr. A.N.M. Mostafa Kamal Mazumder AD (MCH), DGFP, he well briefed the audience on the overview of the Maternal Health Scenario of Bangladesh.  The first and second phases of labor-management were supervised by Dr. Helena Jebeen, Deputy Director and head of Obs & Gynae, MFSTC. Prof. Sameena Chowdhury, Obs & Gynae OGSB supervised the third stage of labor Management, while Dr. Helena Jebeen, Deputy Director and Head of Obs & Gynae. MFSTC make a demonstration of the session on the PPH and PPH drill.

Role of Tab Misoprostol to Prevent PPH by Dr. Rezoana Refat Jahan, Asstt. Prof. (Obs & Gynae), SSMC & Mitford Hospital, Dhaka. Quality ANC Care, Risk of Adolescent Pregnancy, Referral and Report Return by Dr. Md, Manjur Hossain PM (A & RH), MCH-S Unit, DGFP.

The collaboration between SSCAF and DGFP Bangladesh marks a significant step towards improving maternal healthcare and reducing maternal mortality rates in Bangladesh. By equipping frontline health workers with the necessary skills and knowledge, this initiative aims to ensure safer pregnancies and childbirth experiences for women across the country.

An overview of these two-day program

Introductory remarks included a presentation given by Dr. Nazrul Islam, Acting OIC, PPD. Overview of Maternal Health Scenario, Bangladesh by Dr. A.N.M. Mostafa Kamal Majumder AD (MCH), DGFP. The first and second phases of labor-management were supervised by Dr. Helena Jebeen, Deputy Director and head of Obs & Gynae, MFSTC. Prof. Sameena Chowdhury, Obs & Gynae OGSB supervised the third stage of labor Management, while Dr. Helena Jebeen, Deputy Director and Head of Obs & Gynae. MFSTC make a demonstration of the session on the PPH and PPH drill.

Role of Tab Misoprostol to prevent PPH by Dr. Rezoana Refat Jahan, Asstt. Prof. (Obs & Gynae), SSMC & Mitford Hospital, Dhaka. Quality ANC Care, Risk of Adolescent Pregnancy, Referral and Report Return by Dr. Md, Manjur Hossain PM (A & RH), MCH-S Unit, DGFP

Mr. Hushamuddin Chowdhury, MP expressed his profound gratitude to the Ministry of Health and PPD for extending an invitation to participate in this critical initiative. He emphasized the significance of the SSCAF Project, highlighting its role in fortifying the nation’s health system and extending support to vulnerable areas, ensuring safe deliveries for expectant mothers.

The SSCAF Project, funded by the Chinese government, aims to provide technical assistance to Bangladesh in reducing maternal mortality rates. Through collaborative efforts, the project endeavors to enhance medical infrastructure, supply essential resources, and offer training programs to healthcare professionals, particularly in managing postpartum hemorrhage effectively.

“Bangladesh’s commitment to reducing maternal mortality rates by 70% by 2030 underscores the importance of initiatives like the South-South Project,” remarked Mr. Chowdhury. He acknowledged the persistent challenges in maternal and child healthcare, citing preventable factors such as postpartum hemorrhage, hypertension, and obstructed labor.

Despite commendable strides in healthcare, Bangladesh continues to grapple with disparities in health services across different regions. Mr. Chowdhury emphasized the urgency of addressing these discrepancies and enhancing the skills of field health workers to improve healthcare quality, particularly in high-risk areas such as his constituency and greater Sylhet.

Acknowledging the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in conceptualizing the community clinic model, Mr. Chowdhury reiterated the government’s commitment to providing accessible healthcare services. He underscored the importance of personal leadership in driving healthcare initiatives and fostering dedication among medical professionals.

Mr. Chowdhury extended his gratitude to Dr. Nazrul Islam. Acting Officer-in-Charge,  and the team at PPD for their role in implementing the SSCAF Project, envisioning a promising future for the organization in advancing health policies across member countries.

As the training program unfolds, Mr. Chowdhury expressed optimism for its impact on maternal health outcomes, extending his best wishes to the Chinese project and the beneficiary mothers poised to benefit from this transformative initiative.

As a special visitor during these two training sessions-

Dr. Ashrafi Ahmed, Additional Secretary, MEFWD, MoHFW and PCC of PPD.

Mr. S.M Ahsanul Aziz joint secretary (population-1) and PPD Affairs desk office, MEFWD, MOHFW.