Commissioned by Swisscontact’s ASTHA Project (Achieving Sustainability Towards Healthcare Access), the research addresses a longstanding evidence gap in the country’s health system. While Community Paramedics have been operating in rural areas for over a decade, this is the first time a systematic study was carried out to document their role, service scope, and impact on community-level healthcare outcomes.
Drawing on extensive field data and stakeholder insights, the study highlights how CPs serve as skilled primary healthcare providers in rural and hard-to-reach areas. They deliver timely and affordable primary healthcare, including basic diagnosis and treatment, maternal and child health services, and family planning counselling. Crucially, CPs are trained to refer patients to doctors or health facilities for specialised care when complications arise, ensuring continuity and quality of care in settings where access to formal health services is limited.
The findings reveal a significant shift in healthcare-seeking behaviour. More than half of CP service users had previously relied on informal providers such as rural doctors or local pharmacies. Today, Community Paramedics are increasingly the first point of contact for rural patients, with respondents citing proximity to home, affordability, and the perceived quality of care as the main reasons for choosing CP services. The results highlight how Community Paramedics are improving access to quality maternal healthcare in underserved rural settings.
By documenting these contributions, the study provides a strong foundation for policy dialogue, professional recognition, and the integration of CPs into Bangladesh’s health system, reinforcing their role as a critical primary healthcare workforce as the country moves towards Universal Health Coverage.