In a remote area of southern Bangladesh, where well-equipped hospitals are difficult to find, a Catholic nun has become a source of hope for many pregnant women. Sr. Lucky Gomes of the Little Handmaids of the Church provides safe, compassionate and affordable maternity care at the Aloka Health Centre.
The small health center, located in Gournadi, has earned the trust of the local community. It focuses on traditional childbirth and tries to avoid unnecessary surgical deliveries. Because of this, families from different religions — Muslims, Hindus, Christians and Buddhists — come to the center seeking care.
Bangladesh has seen a sharp rise in caesarean births in recent years. Reports show that more than half of all deliveries now happen through surgery, especially in private hospitals where the cost can be very high. Many health experts warn that unnecessary C-sections may create health risks for mothers and babies.
In contrast, the Aloka Health Centre promotes safe natural delivery whenever possible. One young mother, 22-year-old Sumaiya Akhtar, said giving birth there “felt like home.” Her delivery cost only about 4,000 taka, far less than the 30,000 taka often charged in private hospitals for a cesarean birth.
Sr. Gomes joined religious life in 1999 and studied nursing at Kumudini Nursing College. After more than 20 years of service, she continues to help women through pregnancy, infertility struggles and natural family planning, bringing hope and care to rural families.
