Grameen Swapna

Health care is the leading important component of human life. Providing access to healthcare and medication is fundamental in the fight against poverty. Health care is generally concerned with treatment of any health problem through medical, nursing, dental or any other related service. The importance of health care can be visible in the hopes of people who desire for good health. The goal of the Grameen Swapna health program reduce morbidity and mortality among the poor and disadvantaged. By combining preventive, promotive, curative and rehabilitative health services, we serve the disadvantaged, socially excluded and hard-to-reach population. Our integrated service delivery model utilizes our frontline community health workers, who create an effective bridge between underserved communities and formal healthcare systems including Grameen Swapna run health facilities, for improving access, coverage, and quality of health services in communities.

Although child mortality rates in Bangladesh have decreased in recent years, they are still too high. Currently in Bangladesh more than 70% of all infant deaths are occurring in the first 28 days of life. Thus if we are to improve overall infant mortality, we will have to learn how to reduce the deaths in this age group.
Grameen Swapna is embarking on major projects to find solutions to the high neonatal mortality that are cost-effective and reproducible. Neonatal deaths are largely due to infections, asphyxia, birth trauma, and improper care of the new-born. Grameen Swapna believes that with community based strategies many neonatal deaths can be prevented if proper care is given in a timely manner. With training, community workers can recognize and manage neonatal infections and begin early treatment. Mothers and caretakers can be trained to improve routine new-born care, such as feeding the baby and keeping it warm.

Acute infectious diseases continue to cause many infant and child deaths, and many of these can be easily treated or prevented. Diarrhoea, pneumonia and malnutrition are major causes of morbidity and mortality. High maternal mortality rates continue in Bangladesh and over 90% of deliveries take place at home without skilled attendance. Our projects have demonstrated how to improve basic obstetric facilities and to make them acceptable and effective at low cost. These include prenatal clinics, sub centres, safe delivery with trained midwives, and follow-up of women after delivery. The improvements prepare families for possible obstetric emergencies, including post-abortion complications.