Ukhiya, Cox’s Bazar — In a quiet corner of Friendship Hospital, under the soft whir of ceiling fans and the hushed urgency of midwives, a mother lay still—her body exhausted, her heart racing with both fear and hope.
Earlier that day, 36-year-old Rahima* arrived at the hospital in critical condition, referred from another health facility. By the time she reached Friendship Hospital—a UNFPA-supported facility—her situation was dire. She was diagnosed with moderate anemia and signs of fetal distress. Meconium in the amniotic fluid signaled an emergency: the lives of her unborn babies were at immediate risk.
The medical team, trained to act swiftly under pressure, didn’t hesitate. An emergency cesarean section was performed with urgency and care. What followed was nothing short of extraordinary—three cries: fragile, uneven, but alive. Triplets—two boys and a girl—were born into the world.
The boys, weighing just 1,800 and 1,870 grams, were cold and unable to feed. Their sister, born at 2,000 grams, was alert and stable. In a region where healthcare access is often limited and maternal health care is a daily challenge, the safe delivery of three premature babies to a moderately anemic mother could have ended in heartbreak — but it didn’t. Instead, it became a story of survival, strength, and the power of care.
For the mother, there was little time to process the miracle or the fear. The two boys were immediately rushed to the Special Care Newborn Unit (SCANU)—a facility supported by UNFPA to strengthen maternal and newborn health services in the region. There, they received round-the-clock specialized care: placed under radiant warmers to regulate body temperature, nurtured with Kangaroo Mother Care, and fed breast milk drop by drop through a small dropper.
For four days, their mother remained nearby—watching, praying, holding them close, and slowly helping them grow stronger.
When her sons were finally placed back in her arms—stable, safe, and reunited with their sister—it was not just a joyful reunion. It was a powerful reminder of what’s possible when women have access to quality maternal and newborn healthcare, especially in a humanitarian setting.
Investing in Mothers, Protecting Futures
This story is more than a medical milestone. It is a portrait of maternal strength and of health workers who meet every emergency with skill, compassion, and commitment. It reflects the promise UNFPA upholds every day: to ensure that every woman has the right to a safe pregnancy and every newborn the chance to survive and thrive—no matter the circumstances.
In places like Ukhiya, where crisis and displacement stretch resources thin, Friendship Hospital stands as a lifeline. Operating around the clock, it delivers emergency obstetric care, essential sexual and reproductive health services, and support for survivors of gender-based violence—serving both Rohingya refugees and host communities alike.
Every emergency cesarean performed, every newborn saved, every mother supported is proof of what’s possible when we prioritize maternal health.
As we celebrate mothers everywhere—whether they bring life to one child or three—we honour their strength, their sacrifice, and their infinite love. Because every mother holds a universe within her. And every safe birth is a quiet, powerful victory for humanity.
*Name changed for privacy.
