Bangladesh, together with Government and civil society partners has made significant efforts to improve maternal and newborn health. Bangladesh has made huge advancements over the last decades in reducing under-five child mortality rates. However, poverty and underdeveloped health structure in rural areas, mothers, especially pregnant and lactating women (PLW) and children, face many challenges. In 8th Five-Year Plan (2020-2025), Bangladesh’s government focuses on increasing access to quality health services along with financial protection to achieve universal health coverage by 2030 aligning with SDG 3- improve access to healthcare and promote well-being for all.

CODEC plays a significant role in achieving the 8th Five-year Plan and SDG 3 targets by improving access to healthcare systems for underprivileged women and children living through several projects in Bangladesh. Recognizing the fundamental importance of healthcare access, CODEC has worked tirelessly to improve linkages with local healthcare facilities. Specialized health camps, focused on maternal and child health as well as eye health, have been organized to ensure easily accessible and universally accepted healthcare services. The organization also emphasizes age-based appropriate nutritional consumption, blood grouping campaigns, and awareness sessions on ideal cooking practices to mitigate malnutrition.

CODEC’s initiatives extend to education and awareness, with a focus on women and children. Adolescent clubs, nutrition gardens, and school feeding programs aim to empower and educate the younger generation on nutrition and health practices. The Mother and Child Forum serves as a platform to raise awareness among women about child and maternal health, nutrition, and proper care during pregnancy and postpartum.

The organization’s impactful interventions include age-based nutritional consumption, blood grouping campaigns, specialized health camps, and initiatives like the School Feeding Program and Mother and Child Forum. These efforts are made through various initiatives such as Shopnojatra, Showpner Thikana, PPEPP-EU, ENRICH, and the Cultural and Sports Program, which collectively span across various geographical areas, benefiting thousands of individuals.

In 2023, CODEC’s highlights showcase the organization’s remarkable achievements. Over 73,000 people have received health hygiene practices and safety measures, with more than 5,700 sessions conducted on health hygiene and safety measures. Sixty-six health camps at the community level have provided primary healthcare services to nearly 48,000 people. Additionally, almost 10,000 adolescent girls have received counseling on nutritional and menstrual hygiene, and over 4,800 pregnant and lactating women have benefited from primary healthcare, Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) counseling, and micronutrient supplements.