AdSEARCH by icddr,b is making a difference!
Beneficiaries from Key Population studies and Essential Gynaecological Healthcare studies share their experiences
Words of appreciation from the beneficiaries are a major driver of any service provider and the initiators. On 26 May 2024, in a stakeholder workshop on AdSEARCH's ongoing initiatives for key populations and Essential Gynaecological Healthcare, representatives from stakeholders, the Project Management Team (PMT), the study team and direct service beneficiaries exchanged their feelings and experiences. At the workshop, AdSEARCH PMT members handover an Acknowledgement Certificate to Dr AHM Borhan-Ul-Islam Siddiki, Civil Surgeon of Dinajpur district, and acknowledged the gynaecologists and nurses, for their outstanding support and contribution for successfully implementing the Essential Gynaecological Skills (EGS) Implementation Package in the Dinajpur district. The EGS programme, the first of its kind in Bangladesh, was implemented from May 2022 to June 2024. The dedication and collaboration of the Civil Surgeon Office of Dinajpur were instrumental in the programmeʼs success.
Dr AHM Borhan-Ul-Islam Siddiki, Civil Surgeon of Dinajpur district stated that,“Before the EGS programme, non-specialised doctors didn't receive any comprehensive training in gynaecology. With AdSEARCHʼs initiative, the newly graduated and non-specialised healthcare providers have received comprehensive training to manage gynaecological patients and we have also a separate space for providing the service, ensuring privacy’’. He also strongly urged the Government of Bangladesh to recognise the benefits and implement such a programme in all districts as it is crucial for the advancement of women's healthcare in the country.
In addition, AdSEARCH also acknowledged the contributions of the beneficiaries and stakeholders of the Key Populations (KPs) studies. Nurun Nahar, an activist and representative of the KPs community from Jashore, called for improved health services for vulnerable female sex workers and their children. On behalf of the KP community, Nahar emphasised the need for better healthcare provisions. “Our community faces numerous challenges, and we must have access to adequate health services for ourselves and our children”, she stated. AdSEARCH has been conducting multiple studies on KPs and providing SRHR services in the Dhaka and Jashore districts. Under the leadership of Dr Sharful Islam Khan, one of the AdSEARCH Theme Leads, the respective study team has established the first global SRHR surveillance system for KPs. The workshop was moderated by Dr Ahmed Ehsanur Rahman, Technical Coordinator at AdSEARCH. Remarks were delivered by Dr Shams El Arifeen, Project Director; Dr Quamrun Nahar, Deputy Project Director; and Dr Sharful Islam Khan, Theme Lead at AdSEARCH.
