The policy dialogue, "Connecting Communities to the Health System: The Role of Community Paramedics” was organised by Swisscontact Bangladesh through the ASTHA Project in collaboration with BRAC James P Grant School of Public Health (JPGSPH). It drew on findings from a national study to highlight CP performance across key health indicators, including antenatal care, family planning, patient satisfaction, and referrals.
The study also found that the CP model reduced out-of-pocket healthcare spending and enabled rural families to access timely treatment without disrupting their livelihoods. Notably, more than half of CP clients had previously relied on village doctors and drug sellers — a shift that reflects growing community trust in trained Community Paramedics as a dependable source of care.
ASTHA and BRAC JPGSPH team presented an overview of the Community Paramedic programme alongside findings from a national study, highlighting significant performance gaps between Community Paramedics and non-CP providers.
A panel discussion moderated by Parvez Mohammad Asheque, Head of Programme at Swisscontact Bangladesh, explored concrete pathways forward. Dr Abu Muhammad Zakir Hussain, Chairman of the Community Clinic Health Support Trust (CCHST), called for stronger linkages between CP services and community clinics, upazila health complexes, and the broader referral chain. Professor Dr Kaosar Afsana of BRAC JPGSPH pointed to a timely opportunity: with the government's plan to recruit 100,000 new healthcare workers, Bangladesh's existing 10,000 trained Community Paramedics could be formally brought within that workforce. Dr Sohana Shafique, Project Coordinator for Urban Health at icddr,b, suggested exploring whether the CP model could also be adapted for urban healthcare delivery.
The dialogue concluded with a shared commitment across government agencies, development organisations, academic institutions, and professional bodies to accelerate the recognition and integration of Community Paramedics. Key priorities include revising the existing CP guidelines and policy, establishing formal career pathways, strengthening monitoring and supervision of training institutions, and exploring the model's applicability in urban settings.
The ASTHA Project is financed by Novartis International AG, Happel Foundation, Laguna Foundation, and Evi Diethelm-Winteler-Stiftung, among other donors, as part of the Swisscontact Development Programme co-financed by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), Federal Department of Foreign Affairs.