A new maternal hospital has opened its doors in the Cox's Bazar refugee camp in Bangladesh, offering critical healthcare services to Rohingya refugees. The facility, funded by international donors, aims to address the high maternal mortality rates in the camp, where over 1 million refugees reside.
Addressing a Critical Need
The hospital is equipped with 50 beds, operating theaters, and neonatal intensive care units. It will provide antenatal care, skilled birth attendance, emergency obstetric care, and postnatal support. According to the UN, maternal mortality among Rohingya refugees is significantly higher than the national average in Bangladesh, due to limited access to healthcare and the challenging living conditions in the camp.
Impact on the Community
Local health workers have welcomed the new facility, noting that it will reduce the need for referrals to distant hospitals. Many women previously had to travel for hours to receive emergency care, often with fatal consequences. The hospital is expected to serve approximately 200,000 women of reproductive age in the camp.
- 50 inpatient beds for maternity care
- 24/7 emergency obstetric services
- Neonatal intensive care unit
- Family planning and counseling services
The project was supported by the UN Population Fund (UNFPA), the World Health Organization (WHO), and several NGOs. It is part of a broader effort to improve health outcomes for refugees in Cox's Bazar, which remains one of the world's largest refugee settlements.
