Symbiosis International

In the last two decades, Bangladesh has achieved very significant improvements in certain health indicators, including a significant reduction in child mortality and a much greater life expectancy. However, for the very poor, especially those living in remote rural areas, good health care remains out of reach. There is also a lack of awareness about many health issues, leaving the poor susceptible to advice from unqualified village physicians.

Symbiosis seeks to respond to the needs of the poor through community-based, preventative health care and awareness-raising. At the same time, Symbiosis does not ignore the very real needs of the poor for treatment for existing conditions, especially where Government facilities simply do not exist.

During 2006-07, the Symbiosis Health Program consisted of three projects addressing needs in the following areas: general health, eye health (including cataract surgery and refraction), dental health and arsenic mitigation. In addition to the work of these specialised projects, health awareness activities, traditional birth attendant training and other activities are carried out within the Rural Integrated Program