USAID’s “MaMoni Maternal and Newborn Care Strengthening Project: Emergency Response to Covid-19 Pandemic,” implemented by Save the Children in consultation with key stakeholders, designed the community-based intervention.

This model for rural and municipal community targets to lower the burden of Covid-19 and step up the resilience of the local health system to cushion the impact of the pandemic in Bangladesh.

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It aims to increase case detection in the rural community, establish appropriate case management approach with effective referral mechanism and raise awareness among the rural community about prevention and control of Covid-19.

The event, organised by the Health and Family Planning departments of Faridpur, was held in the conference room of Faridpur Medical College.

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Dr Shamim Jahan, director of Health, Nutrition and HIV/AIDS at Save the Children said, “With the financial support of USAID, Save the Children has been supporting the government in different health-related initiatives. Emergency response to Covid-19 pandemic is also one of those activities and with this initiative, we are now aiming to reach out to rural communities.”

Dr Riad Mahmud, health specialist at OPHNE, USAID, suggested everyone to keep promoting and continue practising regular hand washing, wearing masks, and maintaining social distancing.

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Dr Quazi Hefayet Hossain, line director of Community Based Health Care at the Directorate General of Health Services, reassured to continue his ongoing support in curbing the spread of the virus and expressed his gratitude to the stakeholders involved in the implementation of the rural CST model.