Deadline: 28-May-2026
The United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) is supporting integrated maternal, newborn, child, and adolescent health services across selected districts in Bangladesh. The programme strengthens health systems, improves service delivery, and enhances adolescent and pediatric health outcomes through district-specific interventions focused on primary healthcare, digital health, and community engagement.
Overview of the Programme
This UNICEF initiative aims to improve maternal, newborn, child, and adolescent health outcomes in Bangladesh by strengthening health systems and delivering tailored interventions based on local needs.
The programme is implemented across multiple districts with differentiated strategies depending on health priorities, system gaps, and population needs.
Programme Objectives
The initiative focuses on improving both health outcomes and system performance.
Key objectives include:
- Strengthening maternal, newborn, child, and adolescent health services
- Improving health systems capacity and service delivery
- Enhancing adolescent health and wellbeing
- Expanding access to sexual and reproductive health services
- Supporting child health and pediatric care systems
- Strengthening emergency health preparedness and response
- Expanding digital health systems and data use
- Improving community engagement in healthcare delivery
- Enhancing referral systems and primary healthcare services
Geographic Coverage and Implementation Approach
The programme is implemented across nine districts in Bangladesh:
- Sherpur
- Sunamganj
- Kurigram
- Bhola
- Khagrachari
- Kishoreganj
- Bagerhat
- Narail
- Chapainawabganj
Each group of districts has a tailored implementation model based on specific health priorities.
District-Level Interventions
MNCAH and Primary Health Care Strengthening
(Implemented in Sherpur, Sunamganj, Kurigram, Bhola, Khagrachari)
This component focuses on integrated maternal and child health services.
Key interventions:
- Tracking and monitoring pregnant women
- Improved micro-planning and district health planning
- Strengthening maternal and newborn care services
- Child illness management capacity building
- Strengthening adolescent health services
- Enhancing referral systems and health facility readiness
- Workforce training and capacity development
- Expansion of digital health platforms
- Community awareness and engagement programmes
Pediatric Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) Focus
(Implemented in Kishoreganj and Bagerhat)
This component addresses non-communicable diseases among children and adolescents.
Key interventions:
- Early detection and diagnosis of pediatric NCDs
- Referral system strengthening for specialized care
- Treatment and psychosocial support services
- Capacity building for healthcare providers
- Digital health system integration
- Strengthening MNCAH service continuity
- Partnerships with specialized health institutions
Adolescent Health and Wellbeing
(Implemented in Narail and Chapainawabganj)
This component focuses on adolescent health, protection, and social outcomes.
Key interventions:
- Prevention of child marriage
- Youth engagement and empowerment programmes
- Training for health and family planning managers
- Community awareness campaigns
- Social and behavioural change communication
- Capacity building for educators and medical interns
- Promotion of adolescent-friendly health services
- Reduction of stigma around adolescent health issues
Health Systems Strengthening Components
Across all districts, the programme strengthens health systems through:
- Workforce training and capacity building
- Digital health system expansion
- Improved planning and budgeting processes
- Strengthened referral systems
- Enhanced health service delivery infrastructure
- Community participation in health governance
- Improved monitoring and accountability systems
Key Thematic Areas
The programme integrates multiple public health priorities:
- Maternal and newborn health
- Child and adolescent health
- Sexual and reproductive health
- Pediatric non-communicable diseases
- Integrated primary healthcare
- Health emergency preparedness
- Digital health transformation
- Community-based health systems
- Gender and social inclusion in health services
Expected Outcomes
The initiative aims to deliver measurable improvements in health systems and outcomes:
- Improved maternal and newborn survival rates
- Increased access to adolescent-friendly health services
- Better management of childhood diseases and NCDs
- Strengthened primary healthcare delivery systems
- Improved digital health data use and planning
- Enhanced community awareness and participation
- Reduced child marriage and improved adolescent wellbeing
Importance of the Programme
This UNICEF initiative is significant because it:
- Strengthens national health system resilience
- Improves equity in healthcare access across districts
- Enhances adolescent and maternal health outcomes
- Supports digital transformation in public health
- Builds stronger referral and primary healthcare systems
- Promotes community-driven health improvement
Conclusion
The UNICEF MNCAH programme in Bangladesh is a multi-district, integrated health systems strengthening initiative focused on improving maternal, newborn, child, and adolescent health outcomes. Through tailored district-level interventions, digital health expansion, and workforce capacity building, it aims to create a more equitable, responsive, and effective healthcare system.
For more information, visit UN Partner Portal.