Healthcare Providers’ Views on the Management of Emergency Obstetric Care (EmOC) Centres for Forcibly Displaced Myanmar Nationals (FDMN) Women in Bangladesh

Abstract

Background: A well managed and organized emergency obstetric care (EmOC) centre is very important to ensure that the most vulnerable groups, e.g., women and newborns, receive the best possible care in humanitarian crisis situation.

Objective: This study aims to determine the healthcare providers’ views on the management of the Emergency Obstetric Care (EmOC) centers for the Forcibly Displaced Myanmar Nationals (FDMN) women currently living in Bangladesh.

Methods: This cross-sectional, descriptive study was conducted between January and December of 2019. A convenient sampling technique was adopted. A total of 104 healthcare providers working in the refugee camp areas of Forcibly Displaced Myanmar Nationals (FDMN) participated in this study at Kutupalong and Balukhali of Ukhiya upazila under Cox’s Bazar district, Bangladesh. A pre-tested, semi-structured questionnaire was used in face-to-face interview.

Results: Out of 104 respondents, most of them (62.5%) were in 21-30 years age group and 36.54% were 31-40 years age group. About 56% respondents were male and 44.23% were female. Among healthcare providers, 31.73% were doctors, 19.23% were nurse, 35.58% were paramedics and 13.46% were skilled birth attendants (SBAs) or midwives. About 88% were deployed in the field hospital facilities and the rest (11.54%) were in camp based primary health centres. ANC services were provided by all of them (100%). A satisfactory level of ‘signal functions’ of basic EmOC and comprehen- sive EmOC were done by them. All the centres had separate examination room and dedicated delivery room and they maintained privacy during physical examination of their clients (100%). However, 11.5% had blood bank support, 52.9% got laboratory support and dedicated OT facility for EmOC was reported by 72.1%. All claimed the presence of emergen- cy response team (ERT) in due time. Regarding quality of the services, from receiving the patients to arranging necessary treatment, cumulatively more than 85% decision making and treatment were done within 30 minutes. All the respondents (100%) claimed about availability of wheel chairs and stretchers, reception and information services, medical record keeping, emergency oxygen supply, 24/7 electricity and adequate water supply, autoclave for sterilization, ambulance or other transport facilities to carry patients. High satisfaction on workplace environment and job responsibility was reported by 17.3%, while 75.0% had moderate satisfaction and 7.7% had low satisfaction.

Conclusion: Our data suggests a moderate level of satisfaction among most of the healthcare providers on management of EmOC centres for the FDMN women amid several challenges and also highlights the areas of improvement to facilitate better healthcare for them.

CME J 2025; 4(2):62-69