ASTHA provides Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to Community Paramedics (CPs) to fight against the pandemic

Initial vocational education and training
07.05.2020
As a densely populated country with a weak healthcare system, Bangladesh is highly susceptible to COVID-19. The grassroot level communities and millions of poor households especially, are more vulnerable to the pandemic. Amid this global crisis, alongside doctors and nurses, CPs have also been serving as the frontline healthcare service providers in the rural regions of Bangladesh. However, due to lack of proper Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), they are at a constant risk of exposure.

Recognising their noble services and the associated vulnerability during these difficult times, Swisscontact’s healthcare project Achieving Sustainability Towards Healthcare Access (ASTHA) has taken initiative to provide 500 PPE to the CPs operating within and outside its intervention areas, to help them safely continue their  services regularly.

ASTHA facilitates the government of Bangladesh’s initiative to reduce the acute shortage of skilled healthcare providers in rural Bangladesh by actively working with CPs in seven districts across the nation to enhance their capacity and service provision.