24 April 2013 As their baby boy finally started to cry, the smiles of 25-year-old Shiuli Khatun and her husband revealed their relief after a tense and dangerous delivery. Earlier that day, an untrained traditional birth attendant had been unable to deliver Shiuli’s baby at home despite hours of trying. The mother was brought to the Maternal and Child Welfare Centre (MCWC) at Sherpur Sadar Upazila, where Jahanara Begum, a family welfare assistant, helped to successfully deliver the newborn.

9 April 2013 Habiganj, Bangladesh — Excitement filled the air and the crowd exploded into cheers as Mushfiqur Rahim took the bat at Habiganj Sports Stadium. As he struck boundaries and sixes with his cricket bat, commentators announced maternal and newborn health messages over loudspeakers: “Antenatal checkups are important during pregnancy; therefore, ensure four checkups during this time!” (for a strike of four runs); and “Exclusively breastfeed your baby up to the age of six months!” (for a strike of six runs).

6 February 2013 The US Ambassador to Bangladesh, Dan Mozena, visited the Shibpasha Union Health and Family Welfare Center in Ajmiriganj Upazila of Habiganj District, a MaMoni project site. This USAID associate award to the MCHIP Program is being implemented by Save the Children and two local nongovernmental organizations (Shimantik and FIVDB). It is an integrated safe motherhood, newborn care, and family planning project.

9 January 2013 After a grand launching ceremony in December, “Aponjon” is now providing the first nationwide mobile phone health information service in Bangladesh, with a promise of extensively reaching mothers and children. The service will provide health messages weekly to expecting and new mothers that encourage proper care during pregnancy and after the baby is born. This low-cost service—which is free for the poorest 20% of its subscribers—aims to reduce deaths related to maternal and newborn illnesses.