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Reaching out and linking in: Health systems and close-to-community services

REACHOUT Bangladesh Team

The REACHOUT project is funded by the European Union

Objective of REACHOUT Bangladesh

• To conduct implementation research and strengthen the role of close-to-community (CTC) health workers, focusing menstrual regulation (MR)

Reproductive Health Services Training and Education Program

Formal Providers

Informal providers

(Independent)

Informal Providers (supervised by organization)

CTC providers in Bangladesh

EmbedmentComponent Reproductive Health Services

Training and Education Program

Referral card Use of Referral Card Use of Referral Card

Cost sharing Referral card printingWorkshop (jointly with JPG)

Referral card printing by the organization

Ownership Engaged own trainers Engaged own trainers

Training Manual

Submitted a training manual to Govt. for approval which includes REACHOUT facilitative referral training manual

Formal

provider Engagement process

Formal relation (i.e. using referral fee)

Informal relation (i.e. rapport, trust)

Informal providers (Independent)

Informal Providers (supervised by organization)

Engaging informal CTC providers

Intervention: referral card

Challenges

Fund for sustainability of the embedding process

Delaying decision for multi layer decision makers

Staff turnover including CTC providers

Adjustment of new staff with the embedding process

Workload of implementation partners

Monitoring gap for maintaining record of the referral card

Utilization and filling of the card by the referrer

Negative approach towards the referral card (suspicion on extra fees) by some clients

Future Plans

Continuous communication with implementing partners & adapt implementing strategy

Bi-monthly meeting with partners

Strengthening monitoring process by organizing joint workshop with CTC supervisors

Increasing referral competency of CTC providers by arranging join workshop

Monthly meeting between CTC providers & their supervisor and will be documented

Engaging multi-layer of supervisors for smoothing & sustainability of the embedding process