The majority of Health Leaders educating their local communities in Opportunity International Australia’s Health programs are women. However, the story of a male health trainer, training Health Leaders in Bangladesh is an inspiring one.

Dr Sabbir works at Opportunity’s local health partner BURO Bangladesh as a Supervisor and Trainer in the Health Leaders Program. He was originally a dentist, studying dentistry for many years and working as a dental practitioner for three years.

“A turning point in my life came in August 2014. A pregnant woman was brought to a local clinic, suffering from excessive bleeding and convulsions,” said Dr Sabbir.

“Tragically, she died before receiving treatment. This woman, who was seven months pregnant, lived in a remote village and had never received any prenatal care. Neither she nor her family were aware of the danger signs of pregnancy.

This heartbreaking incident made me realise the dire need for health education in rural areas, particularly among marginalised communities.”

Motivated by this tragedy, Dr Sabbir decided to dedicate his career to improving healthcare and awareness among rural populations.

The following year, Dr Sabbir went back to university, and completed a Master of Public Health degree. Armed with new knowledge and a strong desire to make a difference, he applied for a Health Trainer position at BURO Bangladesh.

“The goals of this project aligned perfectly with my aspirations, motivating me to leave dental practice and focus entirely on this initiative,” said Dr Sabbir.

He began his new career in early 2020, working in various rural regions of Bangladesh.

“My primary role as a trainer involves conducting various types of training, including Foundation Training for Health Leaders,” said Dr Sabbir.

To date, I have conducted basic health training for 350 Health Leaders across 23 branches of BURO Bangladesh.”

Dr Sabbir has managed to reach thousands of people through the program, helping local women learn about basic sanitation, menstrual health and prenatal care.

“My responsibilities extend beyond training. I select villages within the branch’s operational area, choose Health Leaders based on their qualifications and skills, and liaise with local administration to inform them about project activities.”

Monitoring the activities of Health Supervisors and Health Leaders is another crucial aspect of the job. He conducts follow-ups, offers advice, and assists with various project tasks.

“Throughout this journey, I have encountered numerous challenges, including the dropout of Health Leaders, adverse weather conditions, and the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Dr Sabbir.

“Despite the hostile weather and the pandemic, I continued the project activities with extreme caution and resilience. I was able to explain the project’s limitations regarding medicine distribution to the community trainees, ensuring their understanding and cooperation.”

Through this project, rural marginalised populations in various districts of Bangladesh have gained awareness about maternal health, child health, adolescent health, and various infectious and non-infectious diseases. This awareness has led to a decrease in maternal and child mortality rates and a reduction in the incidence of various diseases in these areas.

“Working on this project has not only allowed me to fulfill my personal mission but also earned me the love and gratitude of many people,” said Dr Sabbir. “For this, I express my sincere thanks and gratitude.”

This program is supported by the Australian Government through the NGO Cooperation Program (ANCP).