Strengthening Healthcare Networks: SERAC-Bangladesh’s GP and Youth Leaders Collaboration

SERAC-Bangladesh continues to champion innovative strategies that enhance coordination between healthcare professionals and youth leaders. As part of its ongoing initiatives under the ‘Improving SRHR in Dhaka Project,’ the organization recently hosted GP and Youth Leaders Networking Meetings across both the Dhaka South and North City Corporations. These meetings aim to bridge the gap between general practitioners and community volunteers, fostering collaboration to improve sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) awareness and access.

The networking meetings, held from January 17 to January 31, 2025, took place in Uttara, Mohammadpur, Khilgaon, and Mirpur, bringing together 144 participants, including General Practitioners (GPs), community health workers, and youth advocates. This initiative, supported by the HealthBridge Foundation of Canada, sought to establish seamless collaboration between healthcare professionals and volunteers actively working in community health and advocacy.

Key objectives of the meeting included:

  • Introducing volunteers to General Practitioners and defining their collaborative roles.
  • Strengthening coordination between GPs and volunteers for efficient community service.
  • Updating participants on community group formation and engagement strategies.
  • Discussing key healthcare topics, including sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), contraception, stigma reduction, and sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV).

The diversity of participants played a crucial role in the success of this initiative. With 108 women and 36 men, the event demonstrated a strong commitment to inclusivity in healthcare leadership. Among the attendees were 133 community health workers, 11 General Practitioners, and several youth leaders dedicated to enhancing healthcare access at the grassroots level.

The meeting facilitated in-depth discussions on quality improvement for health services, providing actionable insights into how volunteers and GPs can collaboratively address pressing issues within their communities. With SRHR and stigma reduction as focal points, the initiative empowered participants with knowledge and strategic frameworks to combat misinformation and social taboos surrounding reproductive health.

This networking initiative is a testament to SERAC-Bangladesh’s unwavering dedication to improving healthcare access and education. As more young leaders and medical professionals join forces, the future of community health in Bangladesh looks increasingly promising.