SERAC-Bangladesh, with support from the GHAI Advocacy Accelerator, successfully organized a Progress Review and Coordination Meeting with the Technical Working Group (TWG) under the initiative titled “Compiling Evidence and Advocating for Volunteer Peer Leader (VPL) Integration into Adolescent-Friendly Health Centers (AFHCs).” The meeting was held at the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), Mohakhali, Dhaka, bringing together key stakeholders to strengthen collaboration and advance evidence-based advocacy for adolescent health services in Bangladesh.
The meeting served as an important platform for reviewing the progress of the initiative and discussing the draft proposal for integrating Volunteer Peer Leaders into Adolescent-Friendly Health Centers. Representatives from the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), Technical Working Group members, former Volunteer Peer Leaders (VPLs), public health experts, development practitioners, and other stakeholders participated in the discussion, sharing their expertise and technical recommendations to further strengthen the proposed integration framework.
The session commenced with opening remarks from Dr. Asif Iqbal, Assistant Director (School Health), DGHS, who outlined the objectives of the meeting and emphasized the importance of establishing an effective and sustainable integration process for Volunteer Peer Leaders. He highlighted several key priorities, including the recruitment and meaningful engagement of youth volunteers, strengthened coordination among stakeholders, and the development of robust supervision and monitoring mechanisms to ensure the effectiveness of the proposed model.
The technical discussion was facilitated by S. M. Shaikat, Executive Director of SERAC-Bangladesh, who guided participants through the proposed framework for integrating Volunteer Peer Leaders into Adolescent-Friendly Health Centers. The discussion focused on developing a sustainable mechanism that is supported through government ownership, policy integration, and institutional commitment. Participants exchanged valuable perspectives on how the VPL model can be effectively embedded within existing health systems while ensuring its long-term sustainability.
The meeting was chaired by Dr. Syed Kamrul Islam, Director (PHC & ITHC), DGHS, who stressed the importance of evidence-based decision-making, cross-sector collaboration, and meaningful youth participation in strengthening adolescent health outcomes. He emphasized that successful integration of the Volunteer Peer Leader model requires strong partnerships, coordinated efforts, and sustained institutional support to improve the quality and accessibility of adolescent-friendly health services across Bangladesh.
The meeting was attended by Md. Salim Miah, Deputy Director (Program); Shahina Yasmin, Program Lead; Md. Nazmul Hasan, Project Manager, AHA Project; Lutfa Patan, Program Manager, SHIFT Project; Md. Enamul Haque, IT & Communication Associate; Faruk Ahmed, Associate Finance and Admin Officer, along with other members of the SERAC-Bangladesh team. Representatives from DGHS, Technical Working Group members, former Volunteer Peer Leaders, and development partners also actively contributed to the discussions.
The Progress Review and Coordination Meeting concluded with a shared commitment to strengthening collaboration and advancing advocacy for the institutionalization of the Volunteer Peer Leader model within Adolescent-Friendly Health Centers. By building technical consensus and fostering partnerships among government institutions, technical experts, and development stakeholders, the initiative is contributing to the development of more accessible, responsive, and youth-centered health services for adolescents across Bangladesh.