Mobile Medical Clinics provide life-saving support in rural Bangladesh
In June, Shakti Foundation, in partnership with Opportunity International Australia, completed the first year of a Mobile Medical Clinics initiative across 11 districts in Bangladesh. In just one year, 11 mobile clinics delivered inclusive, affordable primary healthcare to over 58,000 people – three-quarters of whom were women – in some of the most remote and underserved locations in the country.
Female health leaders and services
Female Health Leaders, or medical assistants, offer low-cost consultations, maternal and pregnancy care, basic diagnostics, medicines, facilitate teleconsultations, administer vaccinations and conduct community outreach and health education.
For women in rural and remote communities it means they’re getting essential healthcare that they would otherwise have to travel long distances for. Women in Bangladesh typically require the permission of their husband and to be accompanied by a chaperone to travel for treatment. The mobile clinics now come to their neighbourhood on a regular basis, making it convenient and accessible.
Women feel comfortable seeking treatment from the female medical assistants. Services are also accessible for people with disability and families caring for a child with disability. In the second year of operation, the project will have a focus on strengthening inclusive health services for people with disability.
Plans for year two
This year, Opportunity aims to support eight additional mobile clinics, bringing critical health services to thousands more women and families.
“The mobile clinics are taking primary healthcare to those in need,” said Scott Walters, CEO of Opportunity International Australia. “These mobile health clinics are quite literally lifesavers for these communities, and we are very proud of the partnership with Shakti, and very grateful to our supporters for making this happen.”
Highlights from year 1
Outputs
- 58,029 people reached in mostly rural areas
- 17,147 pathology tests & 779 teleconsultations conducted
- 9,400 menstrual hygiene kits distributed
- 1,186 patients referred for secondary care with follow-up
- 813 pregnant women received maternal care
Outcomes
- 76.2% people reached were women; 7 out of 10 from low-income households
- 93% of pregnant women completed 4+ antenatal visits (up from 55%)
- Hypertension screening increased by 38%
- Out-of-pocket costs were <50% of private alternatives
Restored vision fuels livelihoods
In a rural village in Shariatpur, Bangladesh, both Aleya (54) and Nilufa (49) had long been suffering from bad eyesight, making it difficult to continue their livelihoods as artisans and tailors. Their declining vision not only threatened their income but also limited their daily movement and independence. Traveling to an eye hospital in the city was impossible for them. Recognising their need, our local partner Shakti Foundation’s team arranged transportation through one of the mobile clinics that was visiting their area, bringing them safely to a free eye camp. There, they received full eye exams, treatment, and custom eyeglasses – followed by a safe return home.
The result was transformative. Aleya shared, “Now I can clearly see and continue my sewing work, which helps support my family.”
“I never thought I’d see properly again,” added Nilufa. “Now I can do household chores without strain and even take on more tailoring.”
Their story shows how accessible healthcare – delivered with dignity – can restore more than vision; it restores confidence, productivity, and economic stability.
While mobile clinics typically provide treatment on-site, facilitate teleconsultations and make referrals to other services, by exception they also provide transport for medical needs. With just one visit to an eye camp, a mobile clinic helped these two women reclaim their livelihoods and independence.
Project is supported by the Australian Government through the Australian NGO Cooperation Program (ANCP).