Screening program helps Rohingya mothers in Bangladesh camps
Nearly 20,000 pregnant Rohingya women were screened in Cox's Bazar as expanded care seeks to prevent newborn infections
DHAKA, Bangladesh (MNTV) — Expanded hepatitis C screening integrated into maternal health services in Bangladesh’s Rohingya refugee camps is helping thousands of pregnant women access early diagnosis and follow-up care.
It reduces the risk of transmitting the virus to their newborns and offers reassurance to families navigating pregnancy in one of the world’s largest refugee settlements.
According to the World Health Organization, nearly 20,000 pregnant women living in the camps of Cox’s Bazar were screened for hepatitis C between March and May 2026 through routine antenatal services.
More than 2,500 tested positive, while over 1,400 were confirmed to have active infections requiring continued medical follow-up. The initiative is being implemented by the Government of Bangladesh with technical support from WHO and funding from the Government of Japan.
The expansion marks a shift in how hepatitis C is addressed in the camps, where many women previously remained unaware of their status until complications emerged. By incorporating testing into routine pregnancy check-ups, health workers can identify infections earlier, monitor expectant mothers and provide guidance aimed at reducing the chances of mother-to-child transmission during pregnancy and childbirth.
For Aleya, a Rohingya refugee pregnant with her first child, the diagnosis came unexpectedly during a routine antenatal visit.
“I kept thinking about my baby,” she recalled. “I was afraid something would happen to my child.”
Health workers explained that hepatitis C transmission from mother to child is not inevitable and that regular monitoring, safe delivery practices and continued care could significantly reduce the risks.
Throughout her pregnancy, Aleya attended follow-up appointments, received counselling on nutrition and newborn care, and was supported by skilled midwives during delivery using infection-prevention measures recommended for mothers living with hepatitis C.
“This care gave me confidence,” she said. “I felt that someone was looking after me and my baby.”
Two months after giving birth, Aleya returned to the health facility with her infant for the baby’s first hepatitis C test.
“When they told me the test showed no sign of infection, I felt relief for the first time in months,” she said.
Doctors cautioned that additional follow-up testing later in childhood would still be necessary to confirm the child’s final status. Even so, the initial result represented a milestone after months of anxiety.
“Early detection and continued care during pregnancy are essential to reducing the risk of hepatitis C transmission from mother to child,” said Dr. Ahmed Jamsheed Mohamed, WHO Representative to Bangladesh.
“With support from the Government of Japan, WHO is working with national authorities to expand access to screening, follow-up care and maternal health services in Cox’s Bazar.”
Home to around one million Rohingya refugees who fled violence and persecution in neighboring Myanmar, the camps in Cox’s Bazar remain heavily dependent on international assistance for health services.
Aid agencies say integrating hepatitis C screening into maternal care not only improves outcomes for mothers but also gives newborns a healthier start through timely intervention and continued support.
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