Reproductive and Child Health

Reproductive & Child Health Division

Advancing Maternal, Newborn & Reproductive Health

The Reproductive and Child Health (RCH) Department of the Centre for Injury Prevention and Research, Bangladesh (CIPRB) works to strengthen maternal, newborn and reproductive healthcare through research, innovation, capacity building and health system strengthening across Bangladesh.

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About the RCH Department

The Reproductive and Child Health (RCH) Department of CIPRB contributes to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by supporting the strengthening of maternal and neonatal health services and reducing maternal and neonatal deaths in Bangladesh. The department works closely with the Government of Bangladesh, development partners and healthcare institutions to improve the quality and accessibility of reproductive, maternal and newborn health services nationwide.

Through research, implementation science, capacity development and policy support, RCH has introduced several nationally recognised initiatives into the health system. These include the Lifesaving Skills in Pregnancy and Childbirth (LSPC) programme, Maternal and Perinatal Death Surveillance and Response (MPDSR), Safe Delivery digital applications, pharmacy intervention packages, reproductive mortality studies among Rohingya refugees, climate change and SRHR initiatives, obstetric fistula elimination programmes and technical support for PPH and Eclampsia management guidelines.

RCH first implemented the internationally recognised Lifesaving Skills in Emergency Obstetric Care and Newborn Care (LSS-EOC & NC) programme with the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (LSTM), United Kingdom. Building on this success, the department later developed the Lifesaving Skills in Pregnancy and Childbirth (LSPC) training package with technical support from Government, UN agencies and OGSB . These initiatives have significantly strengthened the capacity of healthcare providers and contributed to improving maternal and newborn survival across the country.

Capacity Building

National training programmes for doctors, nurses and skilled birth attendants.

Maternal Health

Evidence-based interventions for safer pregnancy, childbirth and newborn care.

Health System Research

Generating evidence for national policy and programme improvement.

Community Programmes

Supporting vulnerable populations, tea gardens, climate affected communities and Rohingya refugees.

Vision

A Bangladesh where every woman, mother and newborn has equitable access to high-quality reproductive, maternal and newborn healthcare services, leading to healthier families and reduced preventable deaths.

Mission

To strengthen the national health system through research, innovation, evidence generation, capacity building and technical support for improving reproductive, maternal and newborn health throughout Bangladesh.

Core Objectives

Strengthen Maternal & Newborn Care

Improve quality maternal and neonatal health services through capacity development and evidence-based interventions.

Capacity Development

Develop healthcare professionals through nationally recognised training packages and clinical mentoring.

Evidence Generation

Conduct operational research and implementation studies that support policy development and programme improvement.

Technical Collaboration

Collaborate with Government, UN agencies, universities and development partners to improve reproductive health outcomes.

Key Focus Areas

The RCH Department implements multidisciplinary programmes covering research, service delivery, digital innovation, capacity building and technical assistance.

Emergency Obstetric Care

Training and quality improvement for maternal and newborn emergency care.

Maternal Health

Reducing maternal mortality through evidence-based interventions and national guidelines.

Newborn Survival

Improving neonatal care and promoting safe childbirth practices nationwide.

Digital Health

Safe Delivery Apps, digital learning tools and innovative technologies supporting frontline healthcare providers.

Inclusive Programmes

Supporting tea garden communities, climate-vulnerable populations and Rohingya refugees.

Health Research

Generating evidence through implementation research, operational studies and policy support.

Major Achievements

  • ✔ Introduced MPDSR in Bangladesh with the Government.
  • ✔ Developed the nationally recognised LSPC training package.
  • ✔ Introduced LSS-EOC & NC with LSTM, United Kingdom.
  • ✔ Technical support for PPH & Eclampsia Management Guidelines.
  • ✔ Safe Delivery Apps and Digital Health Innovation.
  • ✔ Rohingya Reproductive Mortality Research.
  • ✔ Climate Change & SRHR initiatives.
  • ✔ Obstetric Fistula Elimination Programme.

Flagship Programmes & Research

The RCH Department designs and implements innovative programmes that strengthen maternal, newborn and reproductive healthcare through research, implementation science, digital innovation and capacity development.

MPDR
National Programme

Maternal & Perinatal Death Review (MPDR)

MPDR is one of the landmark initiatives introduced by CIPRB to strengthen maternal and neonatal death surveillance. The programme improves notification, investigation, evidence generation and policy action to reduce preventable maternal and newborn deaths.

  • Maternal death surveillance
  • Perinatal death review
  • Death mapping
  • Evidence-based planning
Komlaphul Pharmacy
Community Intervention

Komlaphul Pharmacy Programme

Komlaphul Pharmacy supports responsible pharmacy practices and strengthens sexual and reproductive health service delivery through counselling, referrals and community engagement.

  • SRHR counselling
  • Pharmacy capacity development
  • Referral linkage
  • Community awareness

Featured Projects

LSPC

Lifesaving Skills in Pregnancy and Childbirth developed with technical support from UNFPA, OGSB and the Government of Bangladesh.

LSS-EOC & NC

Emergency Obstetric Care and Newborn Care training implemented with Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, United Kingdom.

Safe Delivery App

Digital health innovation supporting skilled birth attendants and frontline healthcare providers.

PPH & Eclampsia

Technical assistance for national guideline development and capacity building for emergency maternal healthcare.

Climate Change & SRHR

Strengthening reproductive health services among climate-vulnerable communities.

Rohingya Study

Research on reproductive mortality among Rohingya refugees to improve humanitarian health interventions.

Fistula Prevention & Management Programme

Community-based programme focused on preventing obstetric fistula through awareness, early identification, referral services, capacity building, and strengthened maternal healthcare in collaboration with government and development partners.

MPDSR

MPDSR, including surveillance, death review, evidence-based response, and development of the Lifesaving Skills in Pregnancy and Childbirth (LSPC) package with UNFPA, OGSB, and the Government of Bangladesh.

Research Highlights

  • Maternal & Perinatal Death Surveillance and Response (MPDSR)
  • Emergency Obstetric Care
  • Newborn Care Research
  • Safe Motherhood
  • Implementation Research
  • Health System Strengthening
  • Digital Health Innovation
  • SRHR
  • Operational Research
  • Capacity Development

Programme Journey

Year Milestone
Early Programme Introduced LSS-EOC & NC with Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (LSTM), UK.
National Expansion Maternal & Perinatal Death Surveillance and Response (MPDSR). Developed the Lifesaving Skills in Pregnancy and Childbirth (LSPC) package in collaboration with UNFPA, OGSB, and the Government of Bangladesh.
Government Collaboration Supported nationwide implementation of MPDSR.
Recent Innovations Safe Delivery Apps, Climate Change & SRHR, Pharmacy Intervention, Rohingya Reproductive Mortality Study and Obstetric Fistula initiatives.

Publications & Technical Resources

The RCH Department generates scientific evidence, policy briefs, technical guidelines and operational research findings that contribute to improving reproductive, maternal and newborn health services in Bangladesh.

Research Publications

Peer-reviewed articles, implementation research, and national reports.

Technical Guidelines

National guidelines for maternal, newborn and reproductive healthcare.

Training Manuals

Clinical manuals, learning packages and capacity development resources.

Development Partners

The RCH Department collaborates with national and international organizations to strengthen maternal and newborn health systems.

Government of Bangladesh
WHO
UNICEF
UNFPA
LSTM
OGSB