This case study explores Katalyst and its partner RTM International’s experience in improving the health care system in Bangladesh. The document highlights the symptoms of underperformance in the country’s health care system and the facilitative approach adopted by the partners to build up a qualified workforce. The case study examines a two-tiered pro-poor growth approach that seeks to reduce labour market barriers and improve the quality and access of health care for the poor.
Main findings
- New government policies have opened the training market to a wider spectrum of service providers
- Government policies have allowed the establishment of new curricula which dictate the quality of training courses
- Health care service providers have increased awareness of rising number of training providers and have started building relations for recruitment purposes. 45 per cent of them reported that they have been approached by training institutes for recruitment purposes.
Intervention description
The intervention seeks to reduce poverty through the health care system by offering better services to the poor as consumers, and income and employment opportunities to the poor as workers. It implemented tighter regulation to allow more private providers to enter the market for training services, while ensuring an appropriate level of government scrutiny. It also revised the existing course curricula used when training medical staff; and, in order to provide an impetus for better practice and improved regulation, one 'market leader' was supported to develop a new community paramedics course.
Evidence methodology
The case study makes use of qualitative research methodologies in illustrating Katalyst’s experience in the field. The research makes use of participatory and action oriented methods which are inclusive of targeted groups at all stages of the research process.
Useful for:
The case study is useful for understanding how improvements in training systems have a substantial effect on the labour market, better quality and access to health services and poverty reduction.