|
|
|
 |
The IMPACT Foundation
Bangladesh Programmes |
|
Since its formation IMPACT Bangladesh has had a significant effect on the lives
of the people of Bangladesh. In the past 13 years 1,385,000 have received health education,
98,592 children have been immunised against a wide range of childhood diseases,
375,250 people have been seen and treated at one of IFB's Health Centres, and 20,127
patients have received corrective surgery. |
|
The "Jibon Tari" floating hospital is the first of its kind and started its journey
on 10th April 1999. The aim of this project is to provide health services in general,
specialized clinical and surgical services, and to address the problem of disability
in remote areas and off-shore islands of the country for the benefit of the poorer
section of the society. The pontoon based hospital boat with own power generating
unit but no engine has a total length of 40 meters and about 10 meters breadth.
It has an air-conditioned operating theatre with 3-bedded post operative room, 12
in-patient beds, one radiological |
 |
|
and one pathological room together with accommodation facilities for doctors, nurses
and other supporting staff. Originally with two decks, space on the top deck has
recently been converted into a state-of-the-art training room and more accommodation. |
 |
The Masadul Haque Memorial Community Health Centre in Chuadanga was formerly a private
house donated to IMPACT Bangladesh. Originally established as a surgical centre,
other services have been added in response to requests from the local community,
and a comprehensive range of services is offered. These include an extensive immunisation
programme against polio, TB, measles, whooping cough, diphtheria and tetanus is
run from the Centre and at satellite clinics in the remotest parts of the District.
Pre and post natal mothers are regularly checked and given any necessary treatment
at the |
|
Health Centre and satellite clinics. Newborn babies are monitored and any
problems are referred to the Health Centre for treatment. IFB also train Traditional
Birth Attendants to go to their local communities and assist mothers safely through
pregnancy and birth. Regular screening and surgical sessions are run at the Health
Centre with local people receiving their operations free of charge. Older members
of the community are screened and regularly checked for disabling conditions via
the satellite clinics and specific sessions at the Health Centre. Regular screening
and treatment for disabling conditions are provided via the satellite clinics and
sessions at the Health Centre. |
 |
|
An integral part of the operations of the Foundation in Chuadanga is the Sir John
Wilson Assistive Device Centre whose technicians provide prostheses for people who
have lost the use of part or the whole of a limb, working with the simplest equipment
and suitable, low-cost materials |
|
Outreach of the Foundation into the surrounding rural areas is seen in the Meherpur
village program. A large home gardening project provides members of the local community
with seeds and cuttings and regular guidance from a gardening expert. IFB have also
recently established a farm where fish, chicken and cows are reared and sold in
the local markets, thus giving the local community a low cost source of protein.
In addition the chickens also produce hundreds of eggs a week. IFB also run a series
of Mothers Clubs through which all the local mothers meet on a weekly basis to learn
cookery techniques and basic nutrition. During Mothers Clubs all the initiatives
that IFB run are discussed and promoted. |
|