Canadian Deputy Minister for International Development Congratulates AdSEARCH by icddr,b
Dr Christopher MacLennan, Deputy Minister for International Development of Canada, in his two-day visit to Bangladesh, attended the demonstration of AdSEARCHʼs ongoing interventions at icddr,b. Dr MacLennan was accompanied by H.E. Ms. Lilly Nicholls, High Commissioner of Canada to Bangladesh, Joe Goodings, Head of International Development Assistance, and Ms. Farzana Sultana, Development Advisor, Global Affairs Canada (GAC).
During his visit at icddr,b, Dr MacLennan learned about icddr,bʼs lifesaving innovations and activities, especially with the Key Populations (KPs) and the Essential Gynaecological Skills (EGS) package. It was a unique opportunity for the project beneficiaries and the visitors to exchange dialogues and showcase the SRHR service provisions. With an overview of the organisation Dr Tahmeed Ahmed, Executive Director of icddr,b, led the visitors towards the AdSEARCH demonstration zone. The demonstration began with an opening from the Technical Coordinator of AdSEARCH Dr Ahmed Ehsanur Rahman as he explained the core objective of AdSEARCH and the projectʼs journey in understanding the SRHR burden and distinct needs and exploring the SRHR service gaps through multiple facility-based studies. In the presence of the visitors along with the AdSEARCH Project Director Dr Shams El Arifeen and AdSEARCH Deputy Project Director Dr Quamrun Nahar, Dr Rahman emphasised the projectʼs innovative approaches investing to enhance health outcomes for the vulnerable groups through targeted SRHR services.
In the subsequent session, Dr Sharful Islam Khan, Theme Lead of the studies and activities involving the Key Populations (KPs) under AdSEARCH, demonstrated the SRHR burden and needs of this distinct population, the existing service gaps, the development and testing of SRH innovations and the ongoing service provisions at both Dhaka and Jashore. Dr Khan invited the visitors to meet the service beneficiaries for a face-to-face meet and learn more about the experiences. Dr Rahman, forwarded the demonstration as he gradually unfolded the SRHR innovations initiated under the AdSEARCH Innovation and Evidence Hub in alignment with TAP (Technology, Approach and Product). As the Principal Investigator of the Study, Dr Rahman took the opportunity to demonstrate the EGS programme, emphasising its critical role in improving women's health. In light of this, Dr MacLennan along with his team met the Civil Surgeon of Dinajpur, who highlighted how the EGS implementation package has been integrated into the national programme to improve the gynaecological healthcare for women and girls in Bangladesh. In his closing remark, Dr MacLennan appreciated the teamʼs effort bringing in the field to the icddr,bʼs premises and expressed his gratitude towards icddr,b.
“An absolutely inspiring example of skill, compassion, competence, and innovation in the service of Bangladesh and the world. Bravo!” He stated.
