April-June 2016
Editorial
The world is moving fast with technological innovations. Bangladesh is not far behind. In this respect current e-Sangjog has added a new dimension. Its importance is unlimited for serving information to the target audience about social development, education and modern health service etc. In modern communication techniques, BCCP has put emphasis on ICT to make its programs more dynamic. This means that the use of ICT is gradually spreading in the planning and implementation of the public health and social development programs. Besides social media is also used in many of its programs.
We believe that e-version of Sangjog has enriched our ICT on the way to digitization of Bangladesh. It is expected that our readers can view and read e-sangjog easily.
Best wishes for everyone.
Dissemination Workshop on the Findings of the BCCM related Base-line Survey of UPHCSDP Held
A dissemination workshop on the findings of the BCCM related Base-Line Survey conducted by an independent research organization “Org.-Quest Research Limited” under the supervision of BCCP was held Dhaka on April 23, 2016. The purpose of the study was to assess the existing knowledge and practices regarding a variety of key health related behavior and urban clinic services as well as brand recognition and promotional activities of Rongdhonu clinics of UPHCSDP.
In the dissemination workshop, about 75 participants including concerned officials from PMU, LGD, four PIUs of Dhaka North & Dhaka South City Corporations, Gazipur City Corporation and Narayanganj City Corporation; all the Project Managers of 25 PA Units, representatives of the consulting firms working with UPHCSDP and representatives of the concerned donor agencies attended. Org.-Quest made the presentation on the findings of the BCCM related Base Line Survey.
Ms. Zuena Aziz, Director General (MIE), LGD, MoLGRD&C graced the workshop as the chief guest. Mr. Dhiraj Kumar Nath, Staff Consultant (Urban Health), BRM, ADB and Dr. Rafiqus Sultan, Project Technical Officer, UNFPA were present as special guests in the workshop. Mr. Md. Abu Bakr Siddique, Project Director, UPHCSDP chaired the workshop.
Ms. Sonia Islam, Marketing Specialist, BCCM component delivered the welcome speech and Ms. Yasmin Khan, Team Leader, BCCM component updated the overall activities of BCCM component by a short PowerPoint presentation. Dr. Kapil Ahmed, Deputy Director (Research & Evaluation) of BCCP responded to the questions asked by the officials and participants present and summarized the salient features of the presentation and discussions. The dissemination workshop concluded with the chairperson’s speech.
Revitalizing the Health Education Model Villages
Health Education Model Villages are one of the major initiatives of Bureau of Health Education. The model villages are established in all the districts of Bangladesh. Each district contains 2 model villages. In the model villages 11 health related key information having 23 BCC indicators are disseminated in the community. The objective of the model villages is “To develop an area to serve as model area for application of health education approaches with various methods and tools of health education so as to enable the people of that area to solve their health problems by their own action and efforts and to use that area as demonstration area of health education”.
For the last few years, there was a gap in the model villages’ intervention due to lack of regular guidance and supervision. Bangladesh Knowledge Management Initiative (BKMI) recently undertook a series of activities to revitalize the Health Education Model Villages. In first stage, BKMI provided skill building support through providing training on Behavior Change Communication (BCC) in developing the capacity of the health education officers. Later in 2015, 87 Assistant Health Inspectors (AHI) and Health Assistants (HA) of 30 districts associated with the Model Villages intervention received a 3 day long training on Interpersonal Communication.
To revive the model villages, BKMI thereafter initiated field based intervention through three major strategies; a) Give a new start to the Model Village Implementation Committee, b) Creating local champions through empowering mothers by knowledge generation on maternal and child health issues and c) Increase awareness of primary school students on maintaining healthy lifestyle.
As a result of the above initiatives, 13 committees revived in 13 districts, 13 community action plans developed for keeping the growth of the model villages, increased knowledge on MCH issues of 218 mothers and oriented around 2000 primary school students on maintaining different health behaviors.
These initiatives enable the model villages committee members, local villagers especially mothers and students to get united for the betterment of their villages. Currently follow-up activities are ongoing to see how the activities are undertaken. BKMI believes, continuation of such activities will facilitate each of the villages in Bangladesh to be a model village.
It can be mentioned that BKMI provides technical assistance in different units’ activities of government including Bureau of Health Education (BHE). Strengthening Model Villages is one of those activities.
Ten FSC were held under CRPARP
In order to address the adverse effects of climate change, the Bangladesh Forest Department is implementing Climate Resilient Participatory Afforestation and Reforestation Project (CRPARP) and as a strategic communication partner for the project, BCCP has been implementing strategic communication program for this project to create awareness, engage behavioral change communication and enhance knowledge of the target audience and general stakeholders on improving participatory forest management and to reduce deforestation. In this connection, BCCP conducted 10 Future Search Conference (FSC) in 9 districts of coastal areas. These districts are Cox’s Bazar, Chittagong, Noakhali, Laxmipur, Feni, Barisal, Patuakhali, Barguna and Bhola. Two FSCs were held in Chittagong.
The objective of the conference are to determine future plans in order to conserve forest through community participation in coastal and hilly areas and to create a variety of new forest planting native species of trees.
Additional District Commissioner (revenue), Divisional Forest Officer, Local leaders, Officials of others government departments, Media, NGO and beneficiaries were present in the FSC. They stressed the need to strengthen afforestation and reforestation programs through the concerted efforts of all levels of government as well as stakeholders.
Consultation Meeting on Engaging Local Leaders in Promoting Urban Health Held
For promoting the services of Rongdhonu clinics of UPHCSDP by engaging local leaders, a one-day Consultative Meeting titled Engaging Local Leaders in Promoting Urban Health was held on April 21, 2016 in the Conference Room of Khulna City Corporation. The purpose of the consultative meeting was to engage the local leaders in promoting the urban health services of the Rongdhonu clinics among the potential clients by identifying the roles and responsibilities of the Ward Counselors. About 75 participants including Ward Counsellors of Khulna City Corporation and other stakeholders were present in the Consultative Meeting.
Mr. Md. Abu Bakr Siddique, Project Director, UPHCSDP was present as chief guest. Mr. Gokul Krishna Ghosh, Chief Executive Officer, Khulna City Corporation and Dr. Abul Khair Md. Abdullah, Chief Health Officer, Khulna City Corporation; Mr. Guru Prosad Ghosh, Deputy Director (Family Planning), Khulna; Advocate Sk. Zahangir Hossain Helal, Chairman, Health Standing Committee of Khulna City Corporation; Representative of Civil Surgeon Office, Khulna; and Ms. Ruma Khatun, Panel Mayor -03 of Khulna City Corporation and Mr. Sk. Hafizur Rahman Hafiz, Panel Mayor- 02 of Khulna City Corporation were present as special guests in the Consultative Meeting. Mr. Md. Anisur Rahman Biswas, Honourable Acting Mayor, Khulna City Corporation chaired the meeting.
Dr. Swapan Kumar Halder, Program Officer, PIU, Khulna City Corporation delivered the welcome speech and Ms. Kanta Devi, Communication Specialist, BCCM component shared the objectives of the Consultative Meeting and facilitated discussions. Mr. Molla Showkat Hossain, Project Manager, KMSS, PA-01 and Mr. Md. Abdur Razzaque, Project Manager, KMSS, PA-02, Khulna made a short PowerPoint presentation on the services delivered through the Rainbow marked service centers known as CRHCC and PHCC. There was Open Discussion on the roles & responsibilities of Ward Councillors and other Stakeholders in Promoting Urban Health. The participants actively participated in the Open Discussion and raised questions related to UPHCSDP services.
The Chief Guest and the Special Guests delivered their speech after the open discussion and answered each and every question asked by the participants. The Consultative Meeting concluded with the chairperson’s speech.
BKMI project participated in the Measurement and Accountability for Health (MA4H) Conference
Bangladesh Knowledge Management Initiative (BKMI) project participated in a three day long Inter-country Conference “Measurement and Accountability for Health” organized by the MIS unit of DGHS under Ministry of Health and Family Welfare of Bangladesh. The Conference held from 26th to 28th April 2016 at a hotel of the Dhaka city.
In that Conference health related data collection and reporting requirements for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) have been addressed. Different organizations showcased their digital resources through booths in the Conference. There BKMI had a booth to share its digital resources namely Field Worker(FW) eLearning course and eToolkit, Program Manager and Planners (PM) eLearning course and eToolkit, and digital archives of government units (Bureau of Health Education, Institute of Public Health Nutrition and Information, Education and Motivation unit).
The eToolkit for field workers is a digital library of print and electronic material on health, family planning and nutrition. It is designed to be used by field workers as a resource when counseling their clients. Field workers eLearning course contains eight modules and is available in Bangla. This course can help to develop the professional skills and knowledge of field workers who counsel at the household, community and clinic level on Health, Family Planning and Nutrition.
The eTooklit for Program Managers and Planners compiles guidelines, curriculum, job aids, case studies, and other tools to plan, manage, deliver, evaluate and support SBCC. PM eLearning course is useful for professionals interested in enhancing their skills in Health, Population & Nutrition (HPN) Social and Behavior Change Communication (SBCC).There are two courses available- Message and Material Development (MMD) and Introduction to Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) for SBCC. These courses are free of charge. To strengthen institutional memory and facilitate coordination, BKMI assisted BHE, IEM and IPHN units to create digital archives. The digital archives allow all stakeholders to have quick, online access to the SBCC materials that have been developed by the three units.
The three -daylong event had technical sessions, round tables, Q & A sessions and plenary sessions. On the third day, guests were taken on field trips highlighting work which is being done in Bangladesh for improving health information systems. The Conference has been attended by different government and non government organizations from Bangladesh, Bhutan, Combodia, Indonesia, Myanmar, Nepal, Philippines and South Africa.
The Conference is being supported by USAID, WHO, GIZ and the Asia eHealth Information Network (AeHIN) as well as many Development partners.
BTCRN Observed World No Tobacco Day 2016
The World No tobacco Day was observed throughout Bangladesh on May 31, 2016. In order to observe the day in a befitting manner, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare organized a colorful rally in Dhaka. Along with other organizations, Bangladesh Tobacco Control Research Network (BTCRN) which was formed under the auspicious of JHSPH-BCCP Tobacco Control Project attended the rally. The members of BTCRN and other tobacco control activists joined the rally. After the rally, the Ministry also organized a symposium at the Osmani Memorial Hall, Dhaka.
BCCP arranged a stall at the lobby of the Osmani Memorial Hall along with other organizations. It displayed tobacco control activities there. The Minister, State Minister, Secretary, and other high officials of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare visited the stall while they were briefed about BCCP's tobacco control activities including the Research Grant Program and BTCRN. The Honorable Health Minister Mr. Mohammad Nasim appreciated BCCP's initiatives for tobacco control.
At the request of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, BCCP provided technical assistance in developing and distributing the World No Tobacco Day 2016 poster. The poster has been developed following the WHO worldwide theme “Get Ready for Plain Packaging”. The Civil Surgeon Office of 64 districts and Bloomberg Initiative grantees working at the divisional and district levels used the posters to observe the World No Tobacco Day.
e-GP Digital Billboard Installed
As a part of the e-GP campaign undertaken by BCCP, the Central Procurement Technical Unit (CPTU) of the Implementation, Monitoring and Evaluation Division (IMED) of the Ministry of Planning put the e-GP digital billboard on display near the National Press Club. Planning Minister Mr. AHM Mustafa Kamal inaugurated a digital billboard on April 27, 2016. The Honorable Minister informed that the government wants to digitize all its activities. He also added “It is the time of digitization”. The billboard displays the total number of tenders invited and their total estimated value under e-GP system. The figure is updated every month.
Director General of CPTU Md. Faruque Hossain, officials of CPTU, IMED and Ministry of Planning were present in the inauguration. Ms. Khadija Bilkis, Sr. Deputy Director of BCCP and Deputy Team Leader, PPRP II (Second Revised), was also present.
The e-GP digital billboard has been installed to draw attention of the public and other stakeholders including policymakers, which will lead to an increase in awareness and support for the electronic procurement system.