From homebirths to healthier futures

In a district on the Bangladesh border, a remarkable transformation has seen institutional deliveries soar from 47% to 89%, Prasanta Mazumdar reports

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Five years ago, South Salmara-Mankachar, a Muslim-majority district on Assam's Bangladesh border, faced a significant challenge: only 47% of women were delivering in medical facilities. For many, childbirth remained a risky affair at home, far from healthcare assistance. Today, that figure has surged to 89%, and home deliveries have dropped sharply from 5,638 in 2021-22 to just 820 in 2024-25. This dramatic turnaround is a testament to the power of collaboration and community engagement.

A Unified Approach The shift in delivery practices reflects a broader improvement in maternal and newborn health. District officials attribute the change to a united effort across various departments, once working in isolation. The Health Department, in partnership with Education, Social Welfare, and Women & Child Development, combined resources and strategies to improve healthcare access. This collaboration brought health workers, teachers and Anganwadi workers together to engage local communities through village meetings, urging families to choose institutional deliveries.