Abstract

Abstract: 

Bangladesh is a densely populated country with several public health challenges like poor waste management, environmental pollution, inadequate health education, and overall weak urban health system.  Sustainable actions are required for health system strengthening. Community stepping up for awareness program, health promotion activities and environmental cleaning campaign is a unique example of community engagement and empowerment contributing to reduction of administrative workload. Bangladesh Red Crescent Society (BDRCS), jointly with technical partners initiated regular community-based health campaign that includes awareness building, cleanup drives and health promotion events by the local community volunteers and gatekeepers engaging community and public authority. Started as a pilot in August 2023 at Dhaka South, Rajshahi and Sylhet City Corporations, this initiative has been applauded by the community people and local administration where BDRCS is supporting bridging gaps. Linking with Community Based Surveillance, this initiative engaged more than 35000 households to clean their surroundings as well as motivating neighbors joining cleaning campaign in the area with support of BDRCS’s team and 240 trained local community volunteers. These volunteers give a door-to-door visit for health promotion by informing community with different awareness messages to prevent outbreak of diseases like dengue, acute watery diarrhea (AWD), Influenza like illness, and encourage healthy behavior practices by demonstrating hand washing, healthy eating, personal hygiene maintenance, using mosquito nets and other approaches. These campaigns are low-cost measures conducted utilizing local resources, therefore sustainable for instigating behavior change through community leadership. It has improved community engagement by mobilizing locals to take ownership of their health and environment through active participation. This is an excellent example of programmatic partnership for encouraging local health authorities to strengthen community engagement.