Processions, discussions, sports and cultural programmes were held at six upazilas of the district under the project 'Safe Motherhood Promotion Project' with a view to raising awareness about how the maternity mortality rate and child mortality rate can be reduced.

Deputy commissioner, civil surgeon, family planning officer, Upazila Nirbahi Officers and local government officials took part in a procession at Sadar upazila. Later, a discussion was also held, with the deputy commissioner in the chair.

A discussion and pregnant women's health check-up programme were held at Daulatpur in Manohordi upazila.

The organisers also distributed clay pots, in which coins or money is saved, among pregnant women. Union Parishad Chairman Ehsanul Haque Sharif said they donated the pots so that they can save money to use it during delivery.

Addressing the discussion, Chief Adviser Yukie Yoshimura advised pregnant women to take all necessary preparations for safe delivery.

The four-year 'Safe Motherhood Promotion Project' is being implemented with the technical and financial assistance of Jica. The project started in June 2006.

Project manager Dr Zubayer Hussain said the major components of the project are promotion of birth preparedness among women, their husbands and in-laws and establishing community support systems for providing timely and life-saving maternal and newborn health services.