Author: Md. Saiful Alam

HAEFA NEWSLETTER – November 2022

Posted on by Md. Saiful Alam

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)

Donate Today!

For more regular updates on the Rohingya refugees and other activities related to our organization, be sure to give us a like on Facebook and follow us on Twitter and Instagram. 

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HAEFA Newsletter Editorial Board

Nairita Ahsan Faruqui
Editor
Nairita.jpg

Raihana Mehreen
Associate Editor

Mehreen

Dr. Kaniz Ferdouse Mou
Associate Editor

mou

Contributors for the November Newsletter:
Somayea Sultana Mim and Sajia Haque

Copyright © 2022 Health and Education for All (HAEFA), All rights reserved.

HAEFA NEWSLETTER – October 2022

Posted on by Md. Saiful Alam

Healthcare Services Provided by HAEFA in Bangladesh

  • 55,576 women (30-60 years) were screened for the detection of early-stage cervical cancer in 9 Upazilas of Kurigram from Nov. 2019 – Sep. 2022
  • 33,623 women (30-60 years) were screened for the detection of early-stage cervical cancer in 6 Upazilas of Cox’s Bazar from July 2021 – September 2022
  • 237,875 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 September 2022
  • 34,507 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 2360 Bangladeshi nationals in Ukhiya received free medical services from the Mobile Medical Clinics of HAEFA in 2022.
  • Total 3055 Diagnostic Lab Tests were performed at HAEFA’s NCD-based Path Lab in camp 09 since January 2022.
  • COVID-19 Relief Effort for Underprivileged people : HAEFA Provided a two-week supply of food packages for more than 1,500 families (5 members/family) in 5 districts of Bangladesh in 2021-2022.

Cervical Cancer Prevention Training 

A Residential Training on Screening, Treatment & Management for Prevention of Cervical Cancer was held from 24th September to 6th October 2022 at Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH). Organised by DMCH and with the support of UNFPA to the 4th HPNSP through DGHS, the training session was held in the presence of Professor Dr. Nazma Hoque, Professor and Head of Department, Obstetrics and Gynae, DMCH, along with Professor Dr. Fatema Rahman, Professor Dr. Khodeza Begum, Assistant Professor Dr. Lutfa Begum Lipi, Associate Professor Dr. S M Shahida, Consultant OGSB Dr. Samina Sultana, RS DMCH Dr. Mahbubur Rahman Rajib, 3 Junior Consultants, and 4 Senior Staff Nurses. HAEFA members participated in the training session.

PwC Team Visits Bangladesh

PricewaterhouseCoopers Services Limited (PwC Services Ltd) has been a great partner and support for HAEFA in all its humanitarian, emergency efforts as well as infrastructure needs in the FDMN camp settings since 2018. The team visited the HAEFA camps 1W and 09 on 11th September 2022 to see the quality of maintenance of the infrastructure of the health clinics and path lab, and also the operational condition of the path lab equipments, as well as need for further improvement and extension of infrastructure and HAEFA services.

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 September 2022, more than 5,100 individuals received free medical care including medicines 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 2,670 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 1,950 patients visited Camp 09 in Balukhali and received healthcare services.
  • 170 laboratory tests were conducted at HAEFA’s semi-automated NCD Pathological Laboratory

FDMN Rohingya Camp at Bhashan Char:

  • More than 2,340 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

  • Mr. Zafrul Hassan, HAEFA Bangladesh’s Country Director & CEO, visited the Ahsania Mission Cancer General Hospital to visit cancer patients referred by HAEFA and explore opportunities for collaboration to reduce treatment expenses for the underprivileged cervical cancer patients.
  • Construction work is now underway at Kutupalong Camp 1W’s HAEFA Health Post campus  to extend the Patient Triage Area, Flu Corner, Breast Feeding Corner, and Gender-Based and Disability toilets.
  • Dr. Fairuz Homayara Fariha (Medical Officer, HAEFA, FDMN CXB) attended mhGAP Refresher Training on 27th & 28th September at Cox’s Bazar, arranged by the World Health Organization (WHO).
  • Shamim Akhtar (Lab Technologist, HAEFA, camp 09) attended the training on ‘Quality Management and Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) Preparation for the Laboratory’ on 4th September 2022 at Cox’s Bazar, organized by WHO.

Member Spotlight:
Meet Dr. Asha Akter,  Coordinator of “Mental Health and Resiliency Program – Training of the Trainers,” HAEFA!

Since childhood, Dr. Asha Akter has wanted to help those suffering from disease and disability. She realized that people enduring physical and mental illnesses especially needed help to address and solve their mental health issues. Therefore, she is completing her MD in Psychiatry and further plans to make meaningful contributions in the field as well as emphasize child/adolescent and geriatric mental health.

Dr. Akter joined HAEFA as a volunteer in August 2021 and served as the Chief Master Trainer of the Mental Health and Resiliency – Training of the Trainer program, aimed to teach people about stress management and raise awareness about common mental health issues that could arise during the pandemic. She also helped with editing and contextualizing training modules, translated them into Bangla, and coordinated the group activities. She found groups of people suffering from depression and anxiety during the pandemic. Common causes include financial difficulties, the death of loved ones, disruption of the normal rhythm of life, and addiction, among other things. Social barriers, including stigma, made it difficult for people to reach out for help. From Dr. Akter’s perspective, mental health is an inseparable part of physical health. We must take good care of both physical and psychological health to ensure our overall well-being and maximize productivity. Dr. Akter aims to raise awareness through community engagement, and this is what we need to enhance to improve our mental health and well-being.

Read the Full Feature Here

Member Spotlight:
Meet Nairita Ahsan Faruqui, the Editor of the HAEFA Monthly Newsletter!

Nairita Ahsan Faruqui grew up in Dhaka, and graduated this year from the Biotechnology Program of the Department of Mathematics and Natural Sciences at BRAC University. She is currently working at the Virology Laboratory of the International Center of Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (icddr,b) and volunteering with HAEFA since June 2021. She has been serving as the Editor of HAEFA’s Newsletter since August 2022.

The most challenging part of her role, she relays, is upholding every intricate detail in representing the newsletter. Fortunately, our newsletter team has identified an ideal way of connecting with all the camp coordinators and HAEFA members to stay up-to-date about even the most minor changes and updates. Throughout the work day, Nairita remains alert about anything related to HAEFA that needs to be addressed. “An accomplishment for me would be my personal growth. From being the person still figuring out how she could help, to finally being the person who fully understood that even the smallest effort meant something – I had an entire paradigm shift,” Nairita conveys. In terms of plans, she hopes to pursue postgraduate studies and advance in infectious diseases and virology. HAEFA has always worked towards causes that she appreciates and wants to contribute to. Alongside pursuing her career in infectious diseases, Nairita hopes to stay dedicated and committed to her role as the Editor of the HAEFA Newsletter and help expand our reach even further.

Read the Full Feature Here

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 730 women with cervical cancer screenings conducted in Upazila Health Complexes (UHCs). 9 patients were found VIA positive through the initial screening test and referred for further investigation and treatment.
  • More than 830 women were screened in 6 VIA Centers (Sadar Hospital, MCWC, Ramu UHC, Moheshkhali UHC, Chakaria UHC, Pekua UHC) and 2 VIA camps in the respective Upazilas of Cox’s Bazar, including one hard-to-reach Upazila, Moheshkhali, in September.
  • Twenty 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.

VIA Counseling Training for the Health and Gender Support Project (HGSP) Staff

HAEFA, with the support of UNFPA, the funding from World Bank HGSP, and under the leadership of DGHS and DGFP, organized five batches of training on VIA Counseling for the Community Health Workers (CHWs) of Partners in Health and Development (PHD), Midwives from Hope Foundation and RTM-I, and the Case Workers from BRAC in Ramu, Moheshkhali, Kutubdia, Pekua, and Chakaria.

The purpose of the training was to guide the Health and Gender Support Project (HGSP) field staff, elucidating the misconception of VIA tests among the community people. A total of one hundred and ninety-eight partner staff were oriented.

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. 

  • In September, the HAEFA Health Clinic services for the host community were provided on the 5th, 15th, and 22nd of the month to more than 190 patients, at three different locations, including the Palong Model High School, AKNC High School, and Sonarpara 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 404 people.
Figure: Number of patients treated in September through HAEFA's Host Community Health Clinic

AMEZ supports HAEFA since 2018

The Managing Director & CEO of Abdul Monem Economic Zone (AMEZ), Mr. Mainuddin Monem, MBA, Harvard Business School, is giving a check to HAEFA’s Country Director, Mr. Hassan. AMEZ aims to become a catalyst for the economic and social development of Bangladesh. AMEZ has been supporting  HAEFA for its humanitarian work and efforts since 2018.

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)

Donate Today!

For more regular updates on the Rohingya refugees and other activities related to our organization, be sure to give us a like on Facebook and follow us on Twitter and Instagram. 

Facebook Twitter Instagram
HAEFA Logo

HAEFA Newsletter Editorial Board

Nairita Ahsan Faruqui
Editor
Nairita.jpg

Raihana Mehreen
Associate Editor

Mehreen

Dr. Kaniz Ferdouse Mou
Associate Editor

mou

Contributors for the October Newsletter:
Somayea Sultana Mim and Sajia Haque

Copyright © 2022 Health and Education for All (HAEFA), All rights reserved.

HAEFA Commitment to Support Mental Health and Reduce Stigma

Posted on by Md. Saiful Alam

HAEFA Commitment to Support Mental Health and Reduce Stigma

HAEFA, in collaboration with Project HOPE and partners at the National Institute of Mental Health, and BSMMU, Dhaka, has been implementing “HERO-BANGLADESH,” an online Mental Health and Resiliency Training of the Trainers (TOT) for frontline healthcare workers including physicians, nurses, paramedics of Bangladesh since November 2021.

This Mental Health TOT was inaugurated by the Honorable Minister Dr. Dipu Moni, MP, Ministry of Education on November 25, 2021. Other dignitaries present at the occasion were Prof. Dr. Robed Amin, Line Director, NCD, DGHS, as well as national mental health specialists Prof. Dr. Mohit Kamal, Dr. Mekhala Sarkar, and other mental health experts and enthusiasts from the USA and Bangladesh. The session was moderated by Prof. Dr. Ruhul Abid and other volunteer physicians, trainers, and management staff of HAEFA. This online, live, interactive training course has two modules: 

Module 1: Overview of Stress; and Module 2: Management of Stress and Building Resilience.

It is a Free of Cost two-day course with two-hour per day, led by the mental health experts of BSMMU, NIMH, and volunteer physicians and enthusiasts of Bangladesh and the USA.

After completing both modules, trainers get a “Training Completion Certificate” and other training materials. Participants of the TOT will then conduct cascading trainings to share mental health resources within their networks. HERO-BANGLADESH is aiming to train 3,000 healthcare workers by April 2022.

The primary goal is to ensure this information is disseminated as widely as possible throughout Bangladesh.

As of April 2022, HAEFA and partners have trained 434 health care providers, public health and humanitarian workers, and other professionals as trainers for the HERO-Bangladesh Mental Health and Resilience curriculum in collaboration with project HOPE.

Through the ToT model, over 5,295 individuals have received cascading training. Thank you to the many partners (NIMH, BSMMU, DGHS, DMCH) who made this program a success!

Training of Trainers on Mobile Colposcopy and Hand-held Thermocoagulation

Posted on by Md. Saiful Alam

A Training of Trainers workshop on Mobile Colposcopy and hand-held thermocoagulation was held on 16th and 17th August, 2022 at the Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH). Organized by the support of UNFPA to the 4th HPNSP through DGHS, the session was held for single visit screening and treatment, to prevent cervical cancer. Brown University trainers Prof. Drs. Susan Cu-Uvin and Ruhul Abid joined the session online. HAEFA’s expert trainers and physicians moderated the training session. Professor Dr. Najma Hoque, Professor and Head of Department, Obstetrics and Gynae, Dhaka Medical College and Hospital along with Professor. Dr. Fatema Rahman, Professor. Dr. Khodeja Begum, Assistant Professor Dr. Lutfa Begum Lipi, Associate Professor Dr. S M Shahida, Dr. Samina Sultana, Consultant, Dr. Mahbubur Rahman Rajib, R/S DMCH, and 4 Junior Consultants and 4 SSNs were present at the session.

HAEFA NEWSLETTER – September 2022

Posted on by Md. Saiful Alam

HAEFA’s Healthcare Services in Bangladesh: A Summary

  • 54,832 women (30-60 years) were screened for the detection of early-stage cervical cancer in 9 Upazilas of Kurigram from Nov. 2019 – Aug. 2022

  • 32,792 women (30-60 years) were screened for the detection of early-stage cervical cancer in 6 Upazilas of Cox’s Bazar from July 2021 – August 31, 2022

  • More than 40,000 RMG workers have received free health screening and treatment for Chronic Diseases (Hypertension, Diabetes, Gestational HTN and DM, Malnutrition, Tuberculosis) since 2013.

  • 232,677 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 August 2022

  • 32,163 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 6,000 Healthcare providers were trained under the TOT program for Mental Health Support and Resilience Training in collaboration with Project HOPE

  • More than 3,000 physicians received the Advanced COVID-19 Clinical Management Certification online at the DGHS, MoHFW website. This course collaborates with DGHS, Brown University CHRHS, Project HOPE, HAEFA, USAID, and SCiB.

  • More than  40 students from classes six to twelve at  (Bhawal Mirzapur Hazi Jamir Uddin School And College) received annual merit scholarships from 2019 till to date. This is a collaboration between HAEFA and M A Malek Education Scholarship Foundation.

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 August 2022, more than 5,200 individuals received free medical care and diagnostic services from HAEFA. 

Kutupalong (Camp 1W):

  • More than 2,650 patients visited Camp 1W in Kutupalong and received healthcare services.
  • 119 laboratory tests were conducted at HAEFA’s semi-automated NCD Pathological Laboratory

Balukhali (Camp 09):

  • More than 1,880 patients visited Camp 09 in Balukhali and received healthcare services.
  • 221 laboratory tests were conducted at HAEFA’s semi-automated NCD Pathological Laboratory

FDMN Rohingya Camp at Bhashan Char:

  • More than 2,190 patients visited the HAEFA Medical Check-Up and Treatment for FDMN Rohingya Camp at Bhashan Char and received healthcare services.


COVID-19 Relief Effort for Underprivileged people :

  • HAEFA Provided a two-weeks supply of food packages for more than 1,500 families (5 members/family) in 5 districts of Bangladesh in 2021-2022.

Member Spotlight:
Meet Dr. Md. Asaduzzaman, Medical Officer at Kutupalong (FDMN Camp 1W), HAEFA!

Dr. Mohammad Asaduzzaman joined HAEFA’s health center in Kutupalong as a Medical Officer in November 2021. Having been inspired by many of his mentors who endorsed similar aspirations, his goal was to serve Forcibly Displaced Myanmar Nationals (FDMN). Daily, Dr. Asaduzzaman and his medical team, comprised of medical assistants, midwives, and health workers, treat about 100-150 patients. Apart from clinical duties, he also manages outdoor services, handles necessary paperwork and documentation, completes referrals for patients, and counsels them regularly.

Dr. Asaduzzaman relays with pride and hope, “The number of patients seeking our services is rising everyday. Sadly, we are seeing a trend of younger FDMNs suffering from diabetes and hypertension these days but at least they are being diagnosed very early, given proper treatment right away and monitored regularly at HAEFA Health Clinics.” In the near future, he plans on acquiring a postgraduate degree and hopes that this does not entail the end of his rewarding journey with HAEFA. Dr. Asaduzzaman endeavors to continue his work with and cultivate his contributions at HAEFA while pursuing his studies. He is grateful for the support he receives from senior physicians and management at HAEFA for his postgraduate studies. Interestingly, he had not planned on becoming a doctor and only enrolled in medical school because his parents wanted him to. After having spent almost one year at HAEFA, Dr. Asaduzzaman believes that he was always meant to be a doctor.

Read the Full Feature Here

Member Spotlight:
Meet Md. Mamunur Rashid, Project Coordinator, Cervical Cancer Screening and Treatment Project, HAEFA, Cox’s Bazar!

Md. Mamunur Rashid joined HAEFA in June 2021 as a Project Coordinator for HAEFA’s See-and-Treat Cervical Cancer Screening and Treatment Project in Cox’s Bazar. When he had been recruited, his main task was to build a new team with field staff for the cervical cancer screening and treatment project in Cox’s Bazar. He collaborated with the Cervical Cancer Team of HAEFA in Kurigram, which started its program in July 2019. 

Today, his team  physicians, IT professionals, and Community Health Workers/Facilitators. It is one of the largest Cervical Cancer program projects at HAEFA and operates in six Upazilas (Sadar, Ramu, Maheshkhali, Chakaria, Pekua, and Kutubdia) in Cox’s Bazar. The project has established rooms dedicated to VIA screenings at seven hospitals and 11 VIA camps in Cox’s Bazar. Since the inception of this project, 32,000 VIA tests have been done, and about 430 VIA-positive women have been referred to Chattogram Medical College and the National Institute of Cancer Research & Hospital (NICRH) in Mohakhali, Dhaka for further treatment. CXB medical team collaborates with Brown University via HAEFA for advanced and refresher training for early detection of precancerous lesions and thermocoagulation. Rashid’s demanding responsibilities require him to constantly communicate with colleagues and local government officials to ensure the project is running smoothly on a daily basis, and he makes sure to foster a safe work environment for everyone working with him and collaborate with project coordinators of other HGSP partners including Ph.D., RTM International, HOPE Foundation and BRAC. Rashid maintains a healthy and cordial professional relationship with his medical team members, always makes time for his colleagues and even remembers their birthdays. “We celebrate our birthdays in the office and treat each other like family,” he relays. “I intend to continue working for HAEFA for as long as possible and make a difference.”

Read the Full Feature Here

Training of Trainers on Mobile Colposcopy and Hand-held Thermocoagulation

A Training of Trainers workshop on Mobile Colposcopy and hand-held thermocoagulation was held on 16th and 17th August, 2022 at the Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH). Organized by the support of UNFPA to the 4th HPNSP through DGHS, the session was held for single visit screening and treatment, to prevent cervical cancer. Brown University trainers Prof. Drs. Susan Cu-Uvin and Ruhul Abid joined the session online. HAEFA’s expert trainers and physicians moderated the training session. Professor Dr. Najma Hoque, Professor and Head of Department, Obstetrics and Gynae, Dhaka Medical College and Hospital along with Professor. Dr. Fatema Rahman, Professor. Dr. Khodeja Begum, Assistant Professor Dr. Lutfa Begum Lipi, Associate Professor Dr. S M Shahida, Dr. Samina Sultana, Consultant, Dr. Mahbubur Rahman Rajib, R/S DMCH, and 4 Junior Consultants and 4 SSNs were present at the session.

HAEFA Cervical Cancer Screening and Treatment: September 2022 Update

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 480 women with cervical cancer screenings conducted in Upazila Health Complexes (UHCs). 7 patients were found VIA positive through the initial screening test and referred for further investigation and treatment.

  • More than 2,330 women were screened in 6 VIA Centers (Sadar Hospital, MCWC, Ramu UHC, Moheshkhali UHC, Chakaria UHC, Pekua UHC) and 7 VIA camps in the respective Upazilas of Cox’s Bazar, including one hard-to-reach Upazila, Moheshkhali, in August. 20 patients were found VIA positive, including two 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 investigation. 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.

VIA Counseling Training for the Health and Gender Support Project (HGSP) Staff

HAEFA, with the support of UNFPA and with funding received from World Bank HGSP and under the leadership of DGHS, organized two batches of Training on VIA Counseling for the Community Health Workers (CHWs) of PHD, Midwives from Hope Foundation, and RTM-I and the Case Workers from BRAC in Sadar Upazila and Chakaria.

Five more batches of training will be conducted in September in Ramu, Pekua, Moheshkhali, Kutubdia, and Chakaria. The exercise aimed to orient the Health and Gender Support Project (HGSP) field staff, minimizing the miss-concept of the VIA test in community people.

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 communicable diseases (CD) 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), communicable 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.

  • In August, the HAEFA Health Clinic services for the host community were provided on the 2nd, 6th, 10th, and 23rd of the month to more than 290 patients, at four different locations, including the Shonarpara Model High School, Ukhiya Degree College, Moriccha Model High School, and AKNC High School, Ukhiya, Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh, respectively.

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.

Figure: Number of patients treated in August through HAEFA's Host Community Health Clinic

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)

Donate Today!

HAEFA NEWSLETTER – August 2022

Posted on by Md. Saiful Alam

HAEFA Continues to Provide Quality Healthcare Services in Bangladesh 

  • 54,347 women (30-60 years) were screened for the detection of early-stage cervical cancer in 9 Upazilas of Kurigram from Nov. 2019 – July 30, 2022
  • 30,429 women (30-60 years) were screened for the detection of early-stage cervical cancer in 6 Upazilas of Cox’s Bazar from July 2021 – July 31, 2022
  • 227,180 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 July 2022
  • 29,966 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

Medical Aid and Support 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 July 2022, more than 4,600 individuals received free medical care and diagnostic services from HAEFA. 

Kutupalong (Camp 1W):

  • More than 2,430 patients visited Camp 1W in Kutupalong and received healthcare services.
  • 270 laboratory tests were conducted at HAEFA’s semi-automated NCD Pathological Laboratory

Balukhali (Camp 09):

  • More than 1,670 patients visited Camp 09 in Balukhali and received healthcare services.
  • 345 laboratory tests were conducted at HAEFA’s semi-automated NCD Pathological Laboratory

FDMN Rohingya Camp at Bhashan Char:

  • More than 1,670 patients visited the HAEFA Medical Check-Up and Treatment for FDMN Rohingya Camp at Bhashan Char and received healthcare services.

Member Spotlight:
Meet Ms. Parul Rani, Clinical Manager of See-and-Treat Cervical Cancer Screening and Treatment Project, Kurigram, HAEFA

Parul Rani was born and raised in Lalmonirhat and earned her Diploma in Midwifery from Rangpur Nursing College. At the beginning of her career, she worked with the Obstetrical and Gynecological Society of Bangladesh (OGSB). She also spent time in Bandarban and Noakhali, assisting physicians in managing emergency obstetric patients. Ms. Rani joined HAEFA in June 2021 as the Clinical Manager of the See-and-Treat Cervical Cancer Screening and Treatment Project in Kurigram. She serves as a manager, enabling her to supervise the community organizers and a clinical midwife, and is also certified in VIA and colposcopy screening. 

Parul has received hands-on training from Prof. Dr. Susan Cu-Uvin of Brown University and BSMMU. She visits the Upazila health complexes and performs quality monitoring of VIA procedures implemented by nurses. Other duties involve maintaining the registry of the logistics provided by the HAEFA office for VIA, ensuring proper functioning of mobile ODT, and arranging for 10 to 15 VIA camping each month in remote areas of the villages of Kurigram. Another vital role she plays is compiling patient documentation and reporting the data to project coordinators. Ms. Rani enjoys her work and hopes to continue to work with HAEFA for underserved women and represent a role model of midwifery for years to come.

Member Spotlight:
Meet Mr. Jahidul Islam, Camp Coordinator of HAEFA FDMN, Ukhiya, Cox’s Bazar

Born and brought up in the village of Nalpur, Noakhali, Mr. Jahidul Islam, after graduation, wished to fulfill his lifelong dream to work for the neglected and underserved population. Consequently, he joined HAEFA in February 2018 as a Medical Assistant and has been serving as the Camp Coordinator of HAEFA FDMN, Cox’s Bazar, since 2021. Through his expertise, Mr. Islam has managed to see and help several patients over the years. He provides medical care to refugees/FDMNs at HAEFA’s Kutupalong and Balukhali Health Posts. He also serves the underserved host community in the villages in Ukhiya (via HAEFA’s Weekly Mobile Health Clinics), who have little to no access to healthcare. Improvements in a patient’s health following his and his medical team members’ recommendations have always motivated him to continue his work. 

Alongside healthcare, Mr. Islam not only looks into the finances of the medical operations of HAEFA in the camps, but he also manages supplies and medications and attends crucial training provided by HAEFA and UN organizations in Cox’s Bazar, which he later teaches to his medical clinic staff. He was with HAEFA when the first group of Rohingya Refugees came in in 2017, while there was a lack of amenities and several hurdles to take care of. Mr. Islam overcame all hindrances and became more passionate about his work that provides medical care to the people who have been termed the ‘most persecuted ethnic minority in the world. Mr. Islam believes in the same ethics and moral value as HAEFA and wishes to continue his work with the same dedication, sincerity, and passion.

The HAEFA Team Visits NCD Facilities at Chandpur and Noakhali in June

HAEFA’s Strategic Planning and Medical Team members visited existing major NCD (hypertension, diabetes, hypertension, and diabetes during pregnancy) facilities at the health centers ranging from Community Clinics (CCs) to Upazila Health Complexes (UHCs) and District Hospitals (DHs) in Matlab, Sadar, Faridganj, and Kochua Upazilas in Chandpur district; and in Begumganj, Sadar, Sonaimuri Upazilas in Noakhali district on June 29 and 30, 2022. The visit focused on evaluating the existing government primary, secondary, and tertiary health centers, and stakeholders to better understand an effective healthcare delivery system for NCD patients in Chandpur and Noakhali districts of Bangladesh.

HAEFA Cervical Cancer Screening and Treatment: August 2022 Update

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 that is five times higher. HAEFA has implemented a “See-and-Treat” Cervical Cancer Screening and Treatment Program to reduce these numbers, using mobile (digital) colposcopy and thermocoagulator.

  • In Kurigram District, HAEFA provided over 1,100 women with cervical cancer screenings conducted in 9 Upazila Health Complexes (UHCs) and 6 camps in July. 10 patients were found VIA positive through the initial screening test and referred for further investigation and treatment.
  • More than 2,470 women were screened in 7 VIA Centers (Sadar Hospital, MCWC, Ramu UHC, Moheshkhali UHC, Chakaria UHC, Pekua UHC, and Kutubdia UHC) and 5 VIA camps in the respective Upazilas of Cox’s Bazar, including one hard-to-reach upazila, Moheshkhali, in July. Cases that tested positive through the initial VIA screening were referred for further investigation. 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 also 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 communicable diseases (CD) 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), communicable 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. 

  • In July, the HAEFA Health Clinic services for the host community were provided on the 19th, 25th, and 27th of the month to more than 180 patients, at three different locations, including the Ukhiya Degree College, AKNC High School, and Palong Model High School, Ukhiya, Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh, respectively. 

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.

Figure: Number of patients treated in July through HAEFA's Host Community Health Clinic

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)

Donate Today!

HAEFA NEWSLETTER – July 2022

Posted on by Md. Saiful Alam

Summary of HAEFA Services Provided

  • 53,285 women screened for cervical cancer in Kurigram from Nov. 2019 – June 30, 2022
  • 27,950 women screened for cervical cancer in Cox’s Bazar from July 2021 – June 30, 2022
  • 222,342 Rohingya refugees/FDMN and host community people received free medical care in Cox’s Bazar from January 2017 to June 2022
  • 28,389 Rohingya refugees/FDMN and host community people received free medical care in Bhashan Char, Noakhali since 2020

Meet Medical Officer for HAEFA’s Cervical Cancer Screening and Treatment Project, Cox’s Bazar,
Tasnim Jahan Toma

Dr. Tasnim Jahan Toma, born in Sylhet and raised in Comilla, worked as a general physician in different community clinics throughout Comilla after graduating from medical school. Inspired by her parents, who were also healthcare providers, she always made an effort to bolster women’s health. She joined HAEFA’s cervical cancer screening team in June 2021 and currently works in three health centers in the Upazilas of Cox’s Bazar while concurrently pursuing a Master of Public Health degree from North South University. Dr. Toma’s responsibilities include training midwives and SSNs for VIA testing as well as supervising them in regards to decision-making about diagnosis and further management of screened patients. She herself diagnosed seven instances of cervical cancer last year, and is still in contact with all of the patients. 

A challenging part of this role for Dr. Toma is the mode of transportation she utilizes in order to get to the workplaces. For example, to reach the remote island of Kutubdia UHC – where residents only have electricity from 6 PM-10 PM – she has to take a three-hour speedboat ride from the mainland, and this becomes very risky during the monsoon season. Regardless, at the end of the day, Dr. Toma finds solace in the smiles on the faces of her patients as their blessings and prayers make her days more meaningful.

Read The Full Feature!

Meet Medical Officer for HAEFA’s Cervical Cancer Screening and Treatment Project, Cox’s Bazar,
Dr. Rubaiya Shafrin

Dr. Rubaiya Shafrin grew up in Dhaka where she completed her elementary and high school education. She then graduated from Rajshahi Medical College and, afterwards, worked as an internal medicine medical officer at a very renowned hospital in Dhaka for a few months. Attracted to HAEFA’s dedication to provide for the underserved communities of Bangladesh, 

Dr. Shafrin, who joined in June 2021, supervises cervical cancer screening in four health centers of three of Cox’s Bazar’s Upazila Health Complexes (UHC),  where she oversees patient diagnosis and decision-making about further treatment and manages infectious diseases related to female genitalia, including vaginal candidiasis, in cases where on-the-spot diagnosis is possible. Dr. Shafrin has always made an effort to communicate and connect with her patients to understand their perspectives, and finds it very rewarding to help people with a complicated illness like cervical cancer. Her future plans include postgraduate studies in internal medicine and she looks forward to devoting her time to the betterment of humanity. Dr. Shafrin aims to remain a part of HAEFA for as long as possible because she strongly values the work ethics and goals that our organization embodies.

Read The Full Feature!

HAEFA Contributes to the Well-Being of Rohingya FDMN/Refugees

HAEFA healthcare workers have been providing free medical care and medicine to the Rohingya FDMNs since its establishment. In the month of June, more than 5,200 individuals received free medical care from HAEFA. 

Kutupalong (Camp 1W):

  • More than 2,920 patients visited Camp 1W in Kutupalong and received healthcare services.
  • 167 laboratory tests were conducted at the NCD Path Lab

Balukhali (Camp 09):

  • More than 1,800 patients visited Camp 09 in Balukhali and received healthcare services.
  • 181 laboratory tests were conducted at the NCD Path Lab

FDMN Rohingya Camp at Bhashan Char:

  • More than 1,800 patients visited the HAEFA Medical Check-Up and Treatment for FDMN Rohingya Camp at Bhashan Char and received healthcare services.
  • HAEFA’s physician, pharmacist and paramedic are also supporting the only 20-bed hospital in Bashan Char by doing morning and evening roster duties to take care of the admitted patients.

HAEFA Cervical Cancer Screening and Treatment in Kurigram and Cox’s Bazar

Cervical cancer kills 6,582 women annually in Bangladesh, where the diagnosis rate is 2-3 times higher than the U.S., and hosts a mortality rate that is five times higher. HAEFA has implemented a “See-and-Treat” Cervical Cancer Screening and Treatment program to reduce these numers, using mobile (digital) colposcopy and thermocoagulator.

  • In Kurigram District, HAEFA provided over 3,360 women with cervical cancer screenings conducted in 9 Upazila Health Complexes (UHCs) and 6 camps. 22 patients were found VIA positive through the initial screening test and referred for further investigation and treatment.
  • In Cox’s Bazar District, more than 3,480 women were screened in 7 VIA Centers (Sadar Hospital, MCWC, Ramu UHC, Moheshkhali UHC, Chakaria UHC, Pekua UHC and Kutubdia UHC) and 11 VIA camps in the respective Upazilas of Cox’s Bazar. All cases that tested positive through the initial VIA screening were referred for further investigation. 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 also 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.

Clinical Management of Rape (CMR) and Intimate Partner Violence (IPV)

In June 2022, World Health Organization (WHO) and Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) Working Group hosted a training session on the Clinical Management of Rape (CMR) and Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) for health care providers in Cox’s Bazar. HAEFA member Jahidul Islam attended this conference and learned how to clinically manage rape cases and treat IPV sufferers, as well as adopted valuable guidelines including “LIVES” (Listen, Inquire, Validate, Enhance safety and Support) and maintaining survivors’ privacy and gaining their trust. HAEFA stands united against any kind of sexual violence, and we aim to do our utmost best for those who have faced such distressing situations by enhancing our members’ skills and improving our services in whatever way we can.

Donate to Support Our Cause!

HAEFA is constantly 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)

Donate Today!

HAEFA NEWSLETTER – June 2022

Posted on by Md. Saiful Alam

Meet Dr. Fairuz Fariha, HAEFA Medical Officer at the Cox’s Bazar Rohingya FDMN (Refugee) Camp

This month we are featuring Dr. Fairuz Fariha! Dr. Fariha grew up in the capital of Bangladesh. She always wanted to help people and dreamt of dedicating herself to humanity and humankind through the divine path of medicine. When she was accepted to medical school her dream came one step closer to reality. After graduating from medical school, Dr. Fariha worked at several community clinics in Dhaka. But to pursue her dream of doing humanitarian work for underprivileged people, she decided to join HAEFA in June 2021. Since joining HAEFA a year ago, Dr. Fariha has been working as a Since joining HAEFA a year ago, Dr. Fariha has been working as a  Since joining HAEFA a year ago, Dr. Fariha has been working as a Medical Officer at the 

HAEFA Health Centers in Rohingya (FDMN) camps, leading two broad medical teams comprised of physicians, nurses, paramedics, health workers, IT assistants, and volunteers. The two HAEFA Health Centers treat an estimated 250-300 patients a day for six days a week, adding up to 6,000-7,000 patients served each month. In April 2022, more than 1,370 patients visited the HAEFA clinic at camp 09 in Balukhali and received free health care services, including medicines. Dr. Fariha shared that working with HAEFA has helped her to look at life’s goals from a different perspective. For her, working at HAEFA is not only a job, it has become her life’s motto to work for the people who have little or nothing. The HAEFA team thanks Dr. Fariha for her outstanding service and contributions.

Read The Full Feature!

HAEFA’s Contribution to Ensure the Well-Being of Rohingya FDMN/Refugees

Image: HAEFA Health Clinic at Balukhali (Camp 9).

HAEFA healthcare professionals have been providing free medical care and medicine to the Rohingya FDMN since its establishment. In the month of May, more than 4,800 individuals received free medical care from HAEFA. 

Kutupalong (Camp 1W):

  • More than 2,255 patients visited Camp 1W in Kutupalong and received healthcare services.
  • 129 laboratory tests were conducted at the NCD Path Lab.

Balukhali (Camp 09):

  • More than 1,265 patients visited Camp 1W in Kutupalong and received healthcare services.
  • 147 laboratory tests were conducted at the NCD Path Lab.
  • Representatives from the World Diabetes Foundation, ​​Bangladesh University of Health Sciences, and Orbis visited the Health Clinic and NCD Path Lab to learn about HAEFA’s work. We are thankful for their support!

FDMN Rohingya Camp at Bhashan Char:

  • More than 1,280 patients visited the HAEFA Medical Check-Up and Treatment for FDMN Rohingya Camp at Bhashan Char and received healthcare services.

New Weekly Mobile Medical Clinic for the Host Community in Ukhiya

Due to enclosed wire fencing being installed around the FDMN camp, the surrounding host communities now have limited access to the HAEFA Health Clinics in Kutupalong and Balukhali 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 in Ukhiya Upazila (subdistrict). This weekly mobile medical clinic is being organized with the consent of the Ukhiya Upazila Administration and the Upazila Health and Familly Planning Officer (UHFPO). HAEFA’s weekly medical camp team for the host community consists of a Medical Officer, Medical Assistant, Lab Technologist, Midwife, and Dispenser. This team treated over 40 patients on the first day it opened in June 2022! Free services provided to patients included screening and treatment for non-communicable chronic diseases (hypertension, diabetes, asthma, malnutrition), communicable diseases, and Family Planning services. The National Project Coordinator Ms. Tabassum led this operation during her recent visit to Cox’s Bazar.

Read more here.

HAEFA See-and-Treat Cervical Cancer Screening and Treatment Update

Image: Recent outreach in Moheshkhali, one of the hard-to-reach areas in Cox's Bazar. HAEFA Country Director ATM Zafrul Hassan and respective UHFPO visited the VIA camp.

Cervical cancer kills 6,582 women annually in Bangladesh. The Bangladeshi cervical cancer diagnosis rate is ~2 to 3 times higher than the U.S. and has a mortality rate 5 times higher. HAEFA has implemented a “See-and-Treat” Cervical Cancer Screening and Treatment program to lower these numbers. In the month of May, using mobile (digital) colposcope and thermocoagulation, HAEFA has provided see-and-treat services to more than 4,300 women.

  • In Kurigram District, HAEFA provided over 1,665 women with cervical cancer screenings conducted in 9 Upazila Health Complexes (UHCs) and 6 camps. 5 patients were found VIA positive through the initial screening test and referred for further investigation and treatment.
  • In Cox’s Bazar District, over 2,635 women were screened in 07 VIA centers (Sadar Hospital, MCWC, Ramu UHC, Moheshkhali UHC, Chakaria UHC, Pekua UHC, Kutubdia UHC) and 13 VIA camps in the respective Upazilas of Cox’s Bazar, including two hard-to-reach areas Kutubdia and Moheshkhali. 11 cases were found positive through the initial VIA screening test and referred for further investigation and treatment. The Cox’s Bazar Project team also followed up with six previously identified cancer patients and referred them to Chattogram Medical College and the National Institute of Cancer Research Hospital (NICRH) for further treatment.

Learn more about HAEFA’s work here.

UNFPA – HAEFA Kurigram Cervical Cancer Project Visit

From June 7-9, 2022, the National Operation Manager of HAEFA Bangladesh Mr. Hossain made a three-day visit to monitor and evaluate HAEFA’s “UNFPA Cervical Cancer Screening, Detection, Treatment, and Elimination in Kurigram District” project. During his visit, he met with HAEFA medical team members and government SSN, MW, and physicians at Kurigram Sadar, Ulipur, Chilmari, and Nageshwari Upazilas. The visit included discussions with HAEFA staff in the Kurigram project office about existing project activities and challenges, along with how to strengthen the on-site screening & treatment and chain process of the project from Community Clinic to Upazila Health Complex to Sadar Hospital. The visit also included going to the Nageshwari Upazila for an on-the-ground inspection of the hard-to-reach area VIA Camping, which was held at the Indragot Community Clinic. The difficulties and obstacles of operating VIA camping at the CC level in hard-to-reach areas, as well as the community reach rate, were noticed. One of the impressive findings from the assessment is that about 50,000 patients have been screened and treated as part of the HAEFA-UNFPA Cervical Cancer Program, with a 6-month prediction indicating that the 95 percent objective of the established program will be met.

HAEFA Ships Packages of Medicine to Bhashan Char Health Clinic from Chittagong Port

Chemical explosion in Sitakunda, Chittagong kills at least 49 people

On Saturday, June 4, 2022, around 9 pm, a fire consumed a storage depot in Sitakunda, an upazila in Chittagong. Hundreds of firefighters, police and volunteers arrived at the site, and as they attempted to extinguish the blaze, several of the shipping boxes—believed to contain chemicals—were engulfed by the flames and the rescuers were met with a huge explosion. The explosive noise of the blast even resounded half a mile away and smashed windows. Reportedly, there were about 3,000-4,000 containers at the depot; 33 contained hydrogen peroxide. As flames spread, one explosion triggered yet another. Ambulances hurried the wounded to nearby hospitals, where beds were overfilled and crowds were awaiting medical care in the halls, while some were airlifted to Dhaka. By two days after the incident, about 50 people had died—and the death toll was expected to increase—and many people lost their limbs and were in critical condition, and others were missing. On Monday, June 6, the fire was still blazing but it was under control. 

The depot was said to have housed millions of dollars of garments intended to be exported to Western companies. Over the past 10 years, Bangladesh’s garment industry flourished to become the world’s second largest exporter of clothing. Unfortunately, such industrial fires are not quite infrequent. A need for enforcing safety regulations is felt. As per the Bangladesh Fire Service and Civil Defense, more than 21,000 fire-related incidents took place in 2020.

We extend our deepest condolences and prayers to anyone and everyone affected by this tragedy, including the family, friends and loved ones of those who heroically lost their lives. As an organization that strives to enhance the wellbeing of Bangladeshis, HAEFA is planning to train and equip a part of its team members with safety and preventive measures to ensure that industrial workers and people, the foundation of Bangladesh’s growth, are protected.

HAEFA is constantly in need of donations to support the Rohingya FDMN (refugee) healthcare and COVID-19 relief efforts. Any support, whether donations, outreach, aid in collaboration from personal and professional involvement, or any other method of providing support to HAEFA and its underprivileged, underserved and displaced beneficiaries will be greatly appreciated! All donations to HAEFA are tax-deductible as allowed by the laws in the United States.

  • 𝑯𝑨𝑬𝑭𝑨’𝒔 𝑻𝒂𝒙 𝑰𝒅𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒇𝒊𝒄𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝑵𝒖𝒎𝒃𝒆𝒓 (𝑬𝑰𝑵) : 46-2997707
  • 𝑵𝑻𝑬𝑬: Public Health Program (E70)
  • Text-to-Donate: 53-555 (Keyword: HAEFA)
Donate Today!

HAEFA Newsletter – May 2022

Posted on by Md. Saiful Alam

Eid Mubarak From HAEFA!

HAEFA warmly wishes you all a blessed and happy Eid this year. May this auspicious occasion bring happiness, joy, peace, and prosperity to you and your family.

Meet Billal Hossain, Project Assistant for HAEFA’s Cervical Cancer Screening Program

This month we are featuring Mr. Billal Hossain! Mr. Hossain joined the HAEFA team in 2017 as an Information Technology (IT) Assistant with the Cox’s Bazar Rohingya (FDMN) project of HAEFA, helping to launch HAEFA’s electronic medical record (EMR) system known as ‘’NIROG’’. In 2018, he began working on a new HAEFA healthcare project in Dhaka, providing free medical services to ready-made garment (RMG) factory workers. Following this, in 2021, Mr. Hossain was promoted to Project Assistant for the UNFPA cervical cancer “See and Treat” screening and treatment project, providing moral support and also financial assistance to cervical cancer patients on behalf of HAEFA, as they underwent treatments.

Mr. Hossain has humbly dedicated his life to doing good for the underprivileged class of the population. We thank him for his incredible work and service.

Read The Full Feature!

Thank You For Helping HAEFA Deliver Emergency Food Packages to 750 Families This Ramadan!

With the help of our generous donors, HAEFA was able to provide two-week emergency food supplies to 750 underserved families in 5 districts of Bangladesh during this Ramadan. Due to COVID-19 lockdowns and joblessness, 24.5 million people and almost 500,000 families went below the poverty line in Bangladesh in 2021. 

Translation:

“On May 1, 2022, with the help of the web magazine “Amader Sujanagar”, HAEFA sponsored food distribution among 50 underprivileged families of the Sujanagar Upazila (including Shagorkandi, Hatkhali, and Najirganj Unions) of Pabna district in Bangladesh. For each family, 10 kgs rice, 2 kgs potatoes, 1 kg lentils, 1 L cooking oil, sugar, salt, vermicelli, and soap was provided. During the food distribution program, the Editor and Publisher of the web magazine “Amader Sujanagar”, the president of the renaissance reading fair (Nabajagaran Pathak mela), and others were present.”

HAEFA See-and-Treat Cervical Cancer Screening and Treatment Update

In April 2022, HAEFA provided over 1290 women with cervical cancer screenings conducted in 9 Upazila Health Complexes (UHCs) in Kurigram District.  Around 10 patients were found VIA positive through the initial screening test and referred for further investigation and treatment. In Cox’s Bazar District, over 615 women were screened in 07 VIA centers (Sadar Hospital, MCWC, Ramu UHC, Moheshkhali UHC, Chakaria UHC, Pekua UHC, Kutubdia UHC). 5 cases were found positive through the initial VIA screening test and referred for further investigation and treatment. The HAEFA team organized VIA camps in hard-to-reach UHCs before Ramadan. No VIA camps took place during Ramadan.

Image: Digital-Colposcope for “See-and-Treat” Cervical Cancer Screening and Treatment

HAEFA’s Contribution to Ensure the Well-Being of the Rohingya FDMN/Refugees 

HAEFA healthcare professionals have been providing free medical care and medicines to the Rohingya FDMN since its establishment. In the month of April 2022, more than 4,100 refugees received free medical care from HAEFA in three camps. 

Kutupalong (Camp 1W):

  • More than 2350 patients visited Camp 1W in Kutupalong and received healthcare services.
  • 129 laboratory tests were conducted at the NCD Path Lab

Balukhali (Camp 09):

  • More than 1370 patients visited Camp 1W in Kutupalong and received healthcare services.
  • 116 laboratory tests were were conducted at the NCD Path Lab

FDMN Rohingya Camp at Bhashan Char:

  • More than 1380 patients visited the HAEFA Medical Check-Up and Treatment for FDMN Rohingya Camp at Bhashan Char and received healthcare services

HAEFA medical doctors in Cox’s Bazar attended a training session on scabies control strategies and treatment that was organized by the World Health Organization. According to the WHO, the most vulnerable groups – young children and the elderly in resource-poor communities – are especially susceptible to scabies, which was designated as a Neglected Tropical Disease in 2017. 

NCD Pathological Laboratory in Rohingya FDMN Camp, Balukhali, Cox’s Bazar

Donate to HAEFA’s 2022 Fundraiser!

Dear valued donors and advocates, we have launched a 2022 fundraising initiative with ambitions to raise $50,000 by July 9th to commemorate Eid-Al-Adha! HAEFA’s purpose of this fundraising  is to provide essential healthcare services and health education to garment workers, Rohingya refugees, and other underserved populations in hard-to-reach areas of Bangladesh including remote chars

Learn More About HAEFA

HAEFA is constantly in need of public donations to support the Rohingya refugee crisis and COVID-19 relief efforts. Any support, whether donations, outreach, aid in collaboration from personal and professional involvement, or any other method of backing for this fundraiser, would be greatly appreciated! All donations are tax-deductible in the United States.

  • 𝑯𝑨𝑬𝑭𝑨’𝒔 𝑻𝒂𝒙 𝑰𝒅𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒇𝒊𝒄𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝑵𝒖𝒎𝒃𝒆𝒓 (𝑬𝑰𝑵) : 46-2997707
  • 𝑵𝑻𝑬𝑬: Public Health Program (E70)
  • Text-to-Donate: 53-555 (Keyword: HAEFA)
Donate Today!

HAEFA Newsletter – April 2022

Posted on by Md. Saiful Alam

Summary of Services Provided by HAEFA

  • 47,647 women screened for cervical cancer in Kurigram from Nov. 2019 – April 16, 2022
  • 21,256 women screened for cervical cancer in Cox’s Bazar from July 2021 – April 17, 2022
  • 210,211 Rohingya refugees/FDMN and host community people received free medical care in Cox’s Bazar from January 2017 to April 18, 2022
  • 24,823 Rohingya refugees/FDMN and host community people received free medical care in Bhashan Char, Noakhali since 2020

Meet Md. Saim Khan, HAEFA's Cervical Cancer Screening Project Coordinator

Mr. Khan has worked with HAEFA from the very beginning, helping launch all of HAEFA’s projects. He has helped underserved populations access health care with kindness and empathy. His accomplishments are varied, including coordinating a project to screen garment factory workers for non-communicable diseases in the workplace, helping set up the Electronic Medical Record system in the Rohingya camps with solar power, and helping grow the largest cervical cancer screening center in Bangladesh. Under his leadership, about 4,500 screening tests for 

cervical cancer are conducted every month. Mr. Khan says he has learned from the best at HAEFA, focusing on patient care centered around cordiality, affection, and kindness.

Read The Full Feature!

Mental Health and Resilience TOT Success!

To date, HAEFA and partners have trained 434 health care providers, public health and humanitarian workers, and other professionals as trainers for the HERO-Bangladesh Mental Health and Resilience curriculum in collaboration with project HOPE.

Through the ToT model, over 5,295 individuals have received cascading training. Thank you to the many partners (NIMH, BSMMU, DGHS, DMCH) who made this program a success.

Help HAEFA Deliver Emergency Food Packages to
1,000 Families This Ramadan

Join us in providing a two-week food supply to 1,000 extremely low-income and underprivileged families in Bangladesh during this Ramadan. Due to COVID-19 lockdowns and joblessness, 24.5 million people and almost 500,000 families went below the poverty line in Bangladesh in 2021. Like last Ramadan in 2021, with your kind help and support, HAEFA plans to deliver emergency food packages to 1,000 families this 2022 Ramadan. 

Each food package costs $12.50 and will provide 15-day food supply for each family. If your friends, colleagues, and families would like to DONATE or send ZAKAT, please encourage them to  donate to HAEFA.

Donate Today!
If you are in Bangladesh, you may bKash your Zakat or donations to HAEFA's bKash account: 01770-433662 (press ‘Make Payment’ on your bKash account).

HAEFA Included in the UNHCR 2022 Rohingya Humanitarian Crisis Joint Response Plan (JRP)

In the fifth year of the Rohingya refugee response in Bangladesh, UNHCR and partners are emphasizing the need to ensure that the Rohingya situation does not become a forgotten crisis. Continued funding and support are critical to meet the needs of refugees and surrounding host communities. The 2022 Joint Response Plan (JRP) for the Rohingya Humanitarian Crisis includes 136 partners working to support approximately 1.4 million people, including over 918,000 Rohingya refugees in Cox’s Bazar and Bhasan Char, and around 540,000 Bangladeshis in neighbouring communities. Given their geography, the refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar are especially vulnerable to natural disasters. This year’s JRP accordingly highlights the need for enhanced efforts towards disaster risk management and climate change mitigation, including through reforestation and energy interventions.

Read More!

HAEFA Partners with Handicapped International

On March 30, 2022, HAEFA FDMN medical team members in the Rohingya camps participated in a training session on the early detection and prevention of disability and its complications. The training was organized by the non-profit aid organization Handicapped International (HI).

Fire Safety and Basic Burn Care Training at HAEFA Clinics in FDMN Camps

On March 28, 2022, Md Jahidul Islam, Camp Coordinator of HAEFA’s FDMN Cox’s Bazar, attended a training session on Fire Safety and Basic Burn Care organized by the World Health Organization & Fire Service and Civil Defense CXB. He then shared and demonstrated the training aspects with the HAEFA staff of camps 1w & 09 on April 10, 2022, focusing on detailed instructions for the proper use of fire extinguishers, the type of fire extinguishers and scenarios leading to fire incidences.

HAEFA See-and-Treat Cervical Cancer Screening and Treatment Update

In March 2022, HAEFA provided over 4295 women with cervical cancer screenings conducted in 07 VIA centers (Sadar Hospital, MCWC, Ramu UHC, Moheshkhali UHC, Chakaria UHC, Pekua UHC, Kutubdia UHC) and 11 VIA camps in the respective Upazilas of Cox’s Bazar, including two hard-to-reach areas Kutubdia and Moheshkhali. Over 25 patients were found positive through the initial screening test and referred for further investigation and treatment. The team followed up with 15 patients for a second screening test and colposcopy in Cox’s Bazar Sadar Hospital.

HAEFA provides training and VIA camps in hard-to-reach UHCs. Here are some photos of our recent outreach: 

HAEFA Organizes National Colposcopy Training at BSMMU in Dhaka

A 9-day national colposcopy training was held at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) for HAEFA’s medical team members and government senior staff nurses and midwives. The training was organized by UNFPA and financially supported by HAEFA’s Cervical Cancer Project. The goal was to train the service providers with mobile digital colposcope and hand-held portable thermocoagulator for diagnosis and treatment, respectively.  The sessions included the principles of colposcopy, anatomy of the cervix, colposcopic appearance of CIN, management of CIN by cryotherapy & thermocoagulation, management of CIN by LEEP, and Bangladesh’s national strategy for cervical cancer prevention and control. A special thanks to Professor Ashrafunnessa with the BSMMU Cervical and Breast Cancer Screening Programme and all of the training facilitators for their time and expertise. 

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