programs

Health Program

SMCC

Based on extensive survey and analysis conducted on the healthcare needs of its clients and community, Shakti Foundation has launched health centers named Shakti Medical Care Center (SMCC). Each SMCC is within a 20-kilometer radius of 4-5 microfinance branches and caters specifically to the needs of clients based in that vicinity. The following primary health care services are being currently provided:

Consultation with Medical Assistants/Paramedics

Video consultation with multi-specialist doctors

First level treatment of diabetes, hypertension, respiratory problems

Vaccination (Hepatitis B, Pneumonia, Influenza, Cervical Cancer)

Pregnancy related care

Family Planning

Blood Sugar Test

Blood Grouping

Hepatitis B Virus Screening

Ag-RDT Covid 19 Test

Dengue Test (NS1)

Pregnancy Test

Urine Test for Sugar & Albumin

Hemoglobin (Hb) test

Quality medicine sold at discounted prices

Sale of non-medical commodities like sanitary napkins at affordable prices

87 SMCCs
3,897 Hepatitis-B Vaccinations
3,897 Free Consultations
38,125 Sanitary Napkins Distributed

Health Grant

To uphold Shakti’s commitment to the health security of its members, the organization has created a special Health Grant. This grant provides members with financial assistance for complex surgeries and catastrophic illnesses like cancer, heart diseases, stroke, etc.

713 Health Grants made in 2022
৳78.5 Lakh of funding made available

Medical Camp

We are conducting free medical camps across the nation to enhance the community access to basic health care services. These camps are conducted at Branch Health Corners and other working areas through satellite clinics, community gathering spots and social institutions

Shakti Pharma

Shakti Foundation has launched a model pharmacy project based in Mirpur, Dhaka that specifically provides women-friendly services for female sexual health, hygiene and family planning. A team of female only pharmacists leads this intervention by facilitating a comfortable environment for women customers. The objectives of Shakti Pharma are:

Sale of quality assured and fully unadulterated medicine, with free home delivery.
Provide counselling on female reproductive health and hygiene
Preservation of medicine and vaccines at proper and regulated temperature.
Conduct basic health care service at reasonable price.
Administer vaccine free of cost

The mini ambulance provides all the services of a SMCC including medical assistant consultation, video consultation, basic lab/diagnostic services, medicine sale, screening and vaccination to the disadvantaged communities residing in off-grid locations. Special focus is given to Women’s Health issues in terms of pregnancy related care, childcare, breast and cervical cancer screening, adolescent hygiene and reproductive health. The mini ambulance allows access to remote satellite spots, social gathering spots, and medical camps. The vehicle also serves as a mode of transport during emergencies for patients in hard to reach areas. During weekends, the mini ambulance will additionally provide transportation service for patients from their households to nearby hospital/health clinics at a minimum price. Currently the mini ambulance serves 15 SMCC covered areas.

Ambulances

168,946

Patient Served

58%

Female

24%

Children

2,243

Satellite Camp

471

Medical Camp

Our Presence in 15 Areas

Chapainawabganj

Cox’s bazar

Mojidpur, Cumilla

Dinajpur

Gopalganj

Hobiganj

Jessore

Jhalokati

Joypurhat

Kishoreganj, Pakundia

Nator

Noakhali,Kobairhat

Rangpur

Sherpur

Sylhet, Ambarkhana

Beginning of the Journey

Shakti introduced its Mini Ambulance in the form of an Easy Bike (a popular battery-run, 3-wheeler mode of transport across rural and peri-urban areas) to provide all the services of a SMCC in a portable, mini-format for communities that are heavily deprived of even the most basic healthcare services. The first Mini Ambulance was piloted in March 2022, during which certain limitations such as low mileage, heavy uptake, slow speed, and other technical issues were observed. Taking those limitations into consideration, further customized modifications were made and finally by July 2022, all 15 Mini Ambulances were functional.

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Please note this video was produced in 2012 and is meant to be illustrative of the Foundation's grant making process.

Emergency Response

During the monsoon season of 2022, the districts of Sylhet and Sunamganj in the north-eastern part of the country experienced the worst floods in living memory. Due to critical damage to roads and infrastructure, car, plane and train transportation had been halted in Sylhet and Sunamganj. But where others failed, Shakti persevered. Our relief workers were able to successfully access the victims in these hard to reach and remote communities because of its Emergency Solution Provider, the Mini Ambulance. As a result, Medical teams from the Health Program provided doorstop aid, urgent care and necessary medicines to individuals and households in the affected areas.