At a glimpse: HAEFA’s Healthcare Services in Bangladesh
- 57,098 women (30-60 years) were screened for the detection of early-stage cervical cancer in 9 Upazilas of Kurigram from Nov. 2019 – Oct. 2022
- 34,639 women (30-60 years) were screened for the detection of early-stage cervical cancer in 6 Upazilas of Cox’s Bazar from July 2021 – October 2022
- 242,867 Rohingya refugees/FDMN in Ukhiya and Bangladeshi nationals living in the surrounding Ukhiya Upazila (sub-district) received free medical care in Cox’s Bazar from October 2017 to October 2022
- 38,225 Rohingya refugees/FDMN in Bhashan Char and Bangladeshi nationals living on the island have received free medical care in Bhashan Char, Noakhali, since November 2020
- More than 2820 Bangladeshi nationals in Ukhiya received free medical services from the Mobile Medical Clinics of HAEFA in 2022.
- A total of 3345 Diagnostic Lab Tests have been performed at HAEFA’s NCD-based Path Lab in camp 09 since January 2022.
‘See-and-Treat Approach’ Cervical Cancer Screening
A newly renovated See-and-Treat, One-Stop, Cervical cancer screening, and treatment room has been established in Ulipur Health Complex, Kurigram, by HAEFA, with the help and support of DGHS and UNFPA and technical guidance from Brown University.
In-service training is ongoing in the three Government facilities where UNFPA-HAEFA Teams focus on service providers’ skills, counseling capacity, IPC management, and DHIS2 data entry with proper consent according to the Bangladesh Government’s National Strategy for the prevention of cervical cancer.
Accessible Healthcare for the Rohingya FDMNs/Refugees
HAEFA healthcare workers have provided free medical care and medicine to the Rohingya FDMNs since its establishment in October 2017. In October 2022, more than 6,850 individuals received free medical care, including medication and diagnostic services, from HAEFA. In addition to primary healthcare, the major diseases covered are hypertension, diabetes, asthma, malnutrition, pregnancy with complications, tuberculosis, Dengue, etc.
Kutupalong (Camp 1W):
- More than 2,510 patients visited Camp 1W in Kutupalong and received healthcare services.
- 130 laboratory tests were conducted at HAEFA’s semi-automated NCD Pathological Laboratory
Balukhali (Camp 09):
- More than 1,960 patients visited Camp 09 in Balukhali and received healthcare services.
- 150 laboratory tests were conducted at HAEFA’s semi-automated NCD Pathological Laboratory
FDMN Rohingya Camp at Bhashan Char:
- More than 1,850 patients visited the HAEFA Medical Check-Up and Treatment for FDMN Rohingya Camp at Bhashan Char and received healthcare services.
Activities and Training Attended by HAEFA Personnel
- HAEFA members participate in the introduction, exchange of views, and coordination meeting led by Mr. Sheikh Muhammad Moniruzzaman, the newly appointed Director General of the NGO Affairs Bureau of Bangladesh.
- Dr. Sharmin Sultana Urmi and Dr. Chitralekha Kar Tonny have completed the 12-day-long training from 24th September to 6th October 2022 on Screening, Treatment & Management for the Prevention of Cervical Cancer at DMCH.
- HAEFA has completed the extension work at the Health Post of Camp 1W. A Deep Tube well with an Overhead Water Tank has been installed for continuous water supply, along with two additional toilets constructed with all modern facilities. Among two toilets, one is especially for transgender and disabled persons.
- A member of the HAEFA team, Mr. Jahidul Islam, has attended and completed the 1st Batch of Residential 4-day training titled, ‘Training on WHO Bangladesh Package of Essential Noncommunicable Diseases (PEN) Interventions’ from 17th till 20th October 2022 at Hotel Sea palace, Cox Bazar, Bangladesh. Dr. Asaduzzaman and Dr. Mst Rokeya attended the following batch from the 24th to the 27th of October.
HAEFA Cervical Cancer Screening and Treatment
Cervical cancer kills 6,582 women annually in Bangladesh, where the diagnosis rate is 2-3 times higher than in the U.S. and hosts a mortality rate five times higher. HAEFA has implemented a “See-and-Treat” Cervical Cancer Screening and Treatment Program to reduce these numbers, using a one-stop mobile (digital) colposcopy and thermocoagulation.
- In Kurigram District, HAEFA provided over 1520 women with cervical cancer screenings conducted in Upazila Health Complexes (UHCs). Twenty-two patients were found VIA positive through the initial screening test, and six were referred for further investigation and treatment.
- More than 1010 women were screened in 6 VIA Centers (Sadar Hospital, MCWC, Ramu UHC, Moheshkhali UHC, Chakaria UHC, Pekua UHC) and 5 VIA camps in the respective Upazilas of Cox’s Bazar, including hard-to-reach areas, in October.
- Sixteen patients were found VIA positive, including seven suspected cancer patients, through the initial VIA screening test and referred for further investigation. Cases that tested positive through the initial VIA screening were referred for further analysis. Our team followed up with the patients and organized a second VIA screening test and colposcopy in Cox’s Bazar Sadar Hospital, where both colposcopy and thermocoagulation were performed. The Cox’s Bazar Project team followed up with previously identified cancer patients and referred them to Chattogram Medical College and the National Institute of Cancer Research & Hospital (NICRH), Mohakhali, Dhaka, for further treatment.
HAEFA Health Clinic for Host Community
From the beginning of the Rohingya FDMN (refugee) crisis, HAEFA has provided primary medical treatment and medical services for both non-communicable diseases (NCD) and infectious diseases (ID) to the FDMN population as well as to the surrounding host community. Underserved patients from beyond the camp have also been coming to HAEFA Health Clinics to receive treatment.
Free services provided to patients include screening and treatment for non-communicable chronic diseases (hypertension, diabetes, asthma, malnutrition), infectious diseases, and family planning services. However, due to recently installed fencing setups, the surrounding communities have limited access to health clinics to receive free medical screenings, treatment, and follow-ups. To help these host community patients access care, HAEFA has started a new weekly Mobile Medical Clinic for the host community.
HAEFA believes this new chapter of providing healthcare services to the surrounding host community will improve the quality of life and bring bright smiles and hope to the faces of disadvantaged and vulnerable people.
- In October, the HAEFA Health Clinic services for the host community were provided on the 13th and 20th of the month to more than 130 patients, at two locations, including the Phalong Adorsho High School and Moriccha High School, Ukhiya, Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh, respectively. HAEFA has also provided primary medical treatment and medical services for non-communicable diseases (NCD) and infectious diseases (ID) to these patients and provided family planning counseling, including low-barrier methods, to 373 people.
Donate to Support Our Cause!
HAEFA is in need of donations to support the Rohingya FDMN (Forcibly Displaced Myanmar Nationals) healthcare and COVID-19 relief efforts. Any support, whether donations, outreach, aid in collaboration from personal and professional involvement, or any other method of support to HAEFA and its underprivileged, underserved, and displaced beneficiaries, would be greatly appreciated! All donations to HAEFA are tax-deductible as allowed by the laws of the United States.
HAEFA’s Tax Identification Number (EIN): 46-2997707
NTEE: Public Health Program (E70)
Text-to-Donate: 53-555 (Keyword: HAEFA)
HAEFA Newsletter Editorial Board
Editor
Raihana Mehreen
Associate Editor
Dr. Kaniz Ferdouse Mou
Associate Editor
Contributors for the November Newsletter:
Somayea Sultana Mim and Sajia Haque
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