Save the Children’s ‘Shongzog’ project concludes in Bangladesh after successfully advancing postpartum care and family planning for first-time parents.
 |
| Bangladesh concludes Save the Children’s Shongzog project, which boosted healthcare for first-time parents through innovation and government partnership. Image: STC |
DHAKA, Bangladesh – April 17, 2025:
Save the Children hosted the closeout event of its transformative maternal health initiative, the Shongzog project, on Wednesday in Dhaka, Bangladesh. The program, which began in 2019, focused on improving postpartum care and postnatal family planning for First-Time Parents (FTPs), leaving a lasting impact on healthcare services across eight upazilas in Noakhali and Madaripur districts.
Led by the Department of Family Planning (DGFP) in partnership with Save the Children and the Resource Integration Center (RIC), Shongzog introduced groundbreaking practices that contributed significantly to Bangladesh’s progress toward its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The event was attended by top health and government officials, including Mr. Suman Sengupta, Country Director of Save the Children in Bangladesh, and Dr. Ashrafi Ahmad, ndc, Director General of the Directorate General of Family Planning, who served as the chief guest. Other distinguished attendees included senior officials from the DGFP and Ministry of Health.
“Shongzog has made a real difference in maternal and child health,” said Mr. Sengupta. “Simple, thoughtful actions like invitation cards for first-time parents and the use of a Pre-Discharge Counseling Checklist (PDCC) have had powerful outcomes. With ongoing support, this work is ready to scale nationally.”
Dr. Ashrafi Ahmad added, “I’m pleased to see Shongzog’s innovation—especially the PDCC and outreach strategies for first-time mothers. As we move forward, we must enhance counseling, address early motherhood risks, and strengthen our field-level motivation.”
Presiding over the event, Dr. Md. Rafiqul Islam Talukder, Line Director of the CCSDP Unit, emphasized that unwanted pregnancies remain a significant issue, and praised Shongzog for equipping the system with the tools to combat it. “My vision is to see this work extended to every region of Bangladesh,” he said.
Key accomplishments of the Shongzog project include: “Zero Home Delivery” campaign to encourage institutional childbirth; Implementation of the PNC Pre-Discharge Counseling Checklist at government facilities; Community engagement strategies using invitation cards and counseling; Strengthened collaboration between NGOs and public health services.
By integrating innovative yet simple solutions into public healthcare, Shongzog has empowered new families and enhanced service delivery. Its legacy is set to influence future maternal health projects in Bangladesh and beyond.