Center for Health Market Innovations (CHMI)

Programs

RDRS Bangladesh

last updated Jan 20, 2012

Overview

Implementation Partner(s): 
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MOH&FW), Government of Bangladesh
Legal Status: 
Private (not-for-profit)
Year Launched: 
2008
Stage: 
Existing/expansion stage
Income Level of Target Population: 
Bottom 20%

Funding

Primary Source of Funding: 
Donor
Additional Source(s) of Funding: 
Membership/subscription fees
Funders: 
Cordaid, The Netherlands

Scale

Number of Clients Served: 
2.25 million.
Number of Facilities Operated/Networked: 
186 antenatal clinics at community level, 45 TB & Leprosy Clinics , 24 Eye clinics at 7 Upazila level, and 1 Eye Hospital with modern facilities.
Upscaling: 
RDRS is unusual is maintaining a concentrated geographic programme, focusing on 11 districts and 60 Upazilas (sub-districts) mainly in deprived northern Bangladesh and especially Rangpur Division, far from the overcentralized economic and political powerbase of Dhaka, Chittagong, even Rajshahi. In very recent years, the programme has expanded to a few north and south-eastern regions.
Scope: 
RDRS has school feeding program, safe motherhood program, eye care program and one North Bengal Institute (NBI), for Research and Advocacy.
Summary: 

RDRS Bangladesh is a national humanitarian and development NGO operating since 1972 in association with LWF/DWS Geneva and its Related Agencies.

Program goals/rationale: 

The overall goal is to improve the health condition of the people of six northwest districts of Bangladesh. The main objectives are to: a) Improve pre-natal health status of women b) HIV/AIDS prevention and promotion of safe sex c) Reduce TB and Leprosy burden and reduce its effects as a public health problem d) Reduce the burden of eye diseases. e) Ensure that visually disabled children are mainstreamed and lead a full life

Key program components: 
  • Operate 186 antenatal clinics at union level in 25 upazillas (sub- district) under six northern districts and provide Ante- and Post-Natal care PNC
  • Train rural birth attendants and promote safe birth and quick referral of complicated cases to nearby health facilities.
  • Provide pregnant women about their sexual and reproductive health & rights education
  • Adolescents' reproductive and health rights education.
  • Orient Community leaders on health issues and rights.
  • Operate 45 TB & Leprosy Clinics
  • 24 Eye clinics at 7 Upazila level, and 1 Eye Hospital with modern facilities.
  • Screening of school children for refractive errors.
  • Operate 1 Rehabilitation Centre for the Visually children.
  • Operate 1 Drop-In Centre at Saidpur.
  • Produce and distribute IEC materials.
  • Organize advocacy workshops on health issues and rights.
  • Maintain coordination with GoB officials.
  • Rehabilitation of disabled
Program history: 

Established in 1972 to assist with relief and rehabilitation of greater Rangpur-Dinajpur immediately following the War of Independence, the RDRS programme evolved into a sectoral then comprehensive effort. Formerly the Bangladesh field programme of the Geneva-based Lutheran World Service, RDRS became an autonomous national NGO in 1997. In 1976, a sectoral development programme was launched to assist the poorest in agriculture, community development, health and women’s economic activities. Construction of roads, bridges, markets and schools continued.

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