The government has taken an initiative to recruit 25,000 midwives to bring healthcare services to marginalised populations and ensure health protection for women, Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Husain announced on Saturday.
Speaking as the chief guest, he noted that these midwives will play a vital role in the early detection of various diseases, including breast and cervical cancer- among women in remote regions, alongside raising health awareness and providing necessary guidance.
Sakhawat made these remarks on Friday during a distribution ceremony held on the grounds of Monohardi Govt Pilot Model High School in Narsingdi to hand over sewing machines to helpless and destitute women, working women, and meritorious students who achieved GPA-5 results.
The health minister highlighted that early detection of breast and cervical cancer significantly increases the chances of recovery through proper medical care. To this end, initiatives will be taken at both public and private levels to provide counselling to female students and teachers to raise awareness regarding breast cancer.
Furthermore, the government has already introduced a secondary-level vaccination programme to prevent cervical cancer, which he stated would play a crucial role in heightening awareness among women and mitigating cancer risks.
Addressing international relations and national sovereignty, the minister affirmed that while Bangladesh will maintain many friends in the outside world, it will have no master. He emphasised that despite its small geographical size, Bangladesh holds immense strategic importance due to its location.
Stating that no foreign dominance over even an inch of Bangladeshi territory will be accepted, he reiterated the government’s firm determination to safeguard the nation’s security, independence, and sovereignty.
Following his address, the Health Minister distributed sewing machines and fruit-bearing trees among 300 individuals.
Presided over by Monohardi Upazila Nirbahi Officer Mahamudul Hasan, the event was attended by Belabo Upazila Nirbahi Officer Lailatul Hossain, Officer-in-Charge of Monohardi Police Station Jahangir Badsha, Monohardi Upazila BNP Member Secretary Aminur Rahman Sarkar Dolon, Joint Convener Moniruzzaman Monir, Poura BNP Member Secretary Adv Abdul Hannan Mia, Upazila BNP Member Golam Mostafa, and Upazila Juba Dal Member Secretary Masudur Rahman Sohag, among others.
