US-based international organisation URC has recently organised the event "Integrated Community Development for Better Health: Perspectives from Bangladesh" at a city hotel.
Bangladesh has been a leader in public health research and implementation on a large scale for low-cost technologies provided at the community level. The event highlighted promising interventions and good practices in health service delivery at the community level.
Integrated Community Development for Better Health: Perspectives from Bangladesh provided an opportunity for the Bangladesh government of officials, the international donor community – including the United States Agency for International for Development (USAID) – and representatives from Bangladeshi NGOs and the university community, to discuss how to best ensure delivery of high-quality care at all levels of the health care system in Bangladesh and beyond.
The programme featured keynote remarks from Professor Ainun Nishat, former vice-chancellor of Brac University, USAID Mission Director Kathryn Stevens, and Dr Jahir Uddin Ahmed, director of the board of Social Marketing Company.
Read more: Govt plans a big push in medical education and facilities by 2024, says official document
Two panel discussions featured voices of individuals with experience in designing, implementing, and sustaining health systems that are responsive to the needs and preferences of the communities where they work.
Max Foundation Country Director Riad Mahmud, Public Health Physician and URC Technical Advisor Dr Najmus Sadiq, Social Sector Management Foundation CEO Dr Abu Muhammad Zakir Hussain, RDRS head of Agriculture and Environment Programs Mostafa Nurul Islam Reza, Social Marketing Company Managing Director and CEO Toslim Uddin Khan, URC Portfolio Director Jean Margaritis, DAM Health Sector Deputy Director Md Mukhlesur Rahman were the panellists.
They discussed how incorporating strong community actions and voices into health systems strengthens societal partnerships, builds capacity in communities, and promotes trust and shared accountability for health system performance.