Bangladesh Midwifery Society (BMS) Quarterly Report (Q1: January – March 2026) Overview The first quarter of 2026 marked a significant period of
transition and strengthening for the Bangladesh Midwifery Society (BMS),
following the formation of the new National Executive Committee (NEC). With
support from partners including UNFPA and the International Confederation of
Midwives (ICM), BMS focused on organizational development, leadership capacity
building, membership engagement, and operational strengthening.Key Achievements Strengthening
Governance and Leadership:
The newly elected NEC actively engaged in orientation and
governance discussions during January 2026, reviewing the annual workplan,
organizational policies, and constitution.
Weekly coordination meetings between NEC members and the
secretariat were initiated to ensure effective communication and
decision-making.
A five-day intensive leadership training (1–5 March 2026),
organized with support from UNFPA and DGNM, strengthened leadership and
governance capacities of NEC members.
2. Capacity Development Initiatives
The National Executive Committee (NEC) election of the
Bangladesh Midwifery Society (BMS) was successfully held on 16 October 2025.
The newly elected committee reflects a dynamic blend of experience and fresh
perspectives. While a small number of members brought prior knowledge and
working experience with BMS, the majority are newly engaged, marking an
important opportunity for organizational growth and renewal. A structured
leadership and governance development plan for the NEC was implemented through
online and face-to-face sessions.
Policies developed earlier were formally introduced and
oriented to the NEC in January 2026. Preparatory steps for further capacity development support,
including engagement of external consultants, were initiated.
To strengthen leadership capacity and ensure effective
governance, a comprehensive online training program titled “Board Development
Program” was facilitated by Professor Jacqueline Dunkley-Bent OBE, Chief
Midwife of the International Confederation of Midwives (ICM). This initiative
aimed to equip NEC members with essential skills in leadership, governance, and
strategic decision-making.
In addition, on 13 January 2026, Martha Bokosi from the
International Confederation of Midwives (ICM) conducted a dedicated capacity
development training session for the NEC. The session focused on enhancing
effective communication and strengthening decision-making processes within the
organization.
These initiatives demonstrate BMS’s commitment to building a
competent, confident, and collaborative leadership team to advance midwifery
and improve maternal and newborn health outcomes in Bangladesh.3. Membership Growth and Engagement Membership database was maintained as regularly as it was
through backup systems, and helpline support. Between January and early March 2026:
11 new members were enrolled
5 memberships were renewed
SMS communication systems were maintained to notify members
regarding enrollment and renewal.
6. Advocacy and Stakeholder Engagement The advocacy committee was formed in January 2026 to lead
strategic advocacy initiatives. Preparations for key advocacy activities, including
International Day of the Midwife (IDM), were initiated.
Ongoing engagement with stakeholders continued through
institutional visits and coordination efforts. Day Observation: The NEC actively observed the International
Women’s Day along with a few students, members and stakeholders of BMS at the
BMS office on 5-Mar-2026. Challenges Limited prior experience of many NEC members required
intensive capacity-building efforts. Scheduling regular meetings was occasionally challenging due
to members’ availability. Some key activities (e.g., divisional programs, external
consultant engagement) are planned for Q2 onward.
Way Forward (Q2 2026)
Conduct divisional-level capacity-building and membership
drive programs.
Finalize recruitment for key secretariat positions.
Engage external consultants for NEC capacity assessment and
training.
Strengthen advocacy initiatives and stakeholder
collaboration.
Continue progress toward NGOAB registration and
institutional compliance.
Conclusion The first quarter of 2026 laid a strong foundation for BMS’s
institutional strengthening. With a newly formed NEC and continued support from
partners, BMS is well-positioned to enhance leadership, expand membership, and
advance its mission of improving midwifery services and maternal health
outcomes in Bangladesh.