New Publication from BHP Director

John Richards of Simon Fraser University is a founding director of the Bangladesh Health Project with strong ties to Bangladesh. He is also a Professor at Simon Fraser University’s School of Public Policy, and a Fellow of the C.D. Howe Institute. In a recent report for the Institute, John argues that Canada’s foreign aid could be more effective if there were strategies in place that addressed the problem of weak host-country governance. In “Diplomacy, Trade and Aid: Searching for Synergies”, John proposes a mix of corporate social responsibility for Canadian firms engaged in low-income countries, diplomatic involvement in aid projects, and aid projects designed to address problems of “weak” host-country governance.

Students Featured on Bangladeshi Radio to Promote Nursing

This year, student volunteers from Vancouver Community College visited Bangladesh as part of their training and were invited to speak to a broad audience on a radio program. The volunteers, Gabriel Caruana and Jidy Aquino, along with Dr. Nazmul Huda, had the unique opportunity to discuss their experiences as nurses and to explain to listeners the importance of the nursing profession, especially in Bangladesh.

Gabriel and Jidy shared their account of the event:

“Our team had the honour to speak on Nalta 99.2 FM Radio in Satkhira, Bangladesh, which is 1 of 14 radio stations in the country. Nalta 99.2 FM is a community-centred radio station that broadcasts information including health-related topics to multiple communities southwest of Dhaka.

In Bangladesh, doctors outnumber nurses significantly. Therefore, the ratio of students entering nursing needs to increase because nurses are the central workforce for the delivery of the healthcare system.

Our purpose during the radio show was to promote the nursing profession as a respectful, trusted, and highly credible profession. The radio show gave us a platform to inspire the collective community. Dr. Nazmul Huda and his colleagues were instrumental in organizing the radio show, which served as a catalyst for sharing our knowledge and experience of nursing to empower youth. This radio show will bring awareness of nursing and give young people the opportunity to become part of the nursing workforce.”

Thank you to Gabriel and Jidy for helping to empower and educate the general public about the need for nurses in Bangladesh, and for sharing your experience! Keep up the wonderful work.

Volunteer Instructor Speaks About Teaching Experiences

Margery Hawkins, an instructor for the Bachelor of Science Nursing Program at Vancouver Community College, volunteered with the Bangladesh Health Project in the 2014 summer trimester and taught the Research course.  Pictured below with some of the Research students, Margery enjoyed her time in Bangladesh and was gracious enough to share some of the highlights from her trip.  She learned that not only did she contribute to the curriculum of the IUBAT Nursing program, but that her time in Bangladesh taught her some valuable lessons as well.  She writes:

“There is so much to say about this place, but I do not have the words or time.  All in all, I love it here!  There is a lot of opportunity in Bangladesh to enhance cultural sensitivity, forming liaisons and the like.  The Guest House is clean, fully equipped and safe, and the staff is friendly and helpful.  My only challenge is crossing the busy highway to campus, but there are patrol people to help.  I walk alone for about 15 minutes in order to reach campus and feel safe during my commute.  I’m enjoying the food at the Guest House, and we have bought some great bottled hot sauces at local stores to enhance flavours and reduce any monotony.  Furthermore, we are able to bring and prepare food to accompany our meals.  As for the classroom work, I love teaching the research course!  Teaching here usually means going with the flow and being flexible with teaching plans, which I sincerely enjoy. The students seem keen to learn, and are respectful. They are the highlight of my experience here. We have been to the local orphanage and have plans to visit School of Hope, BRAC, the International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (ICDDR,B), and the Centre for the Rehabilitation of the Paralysed, with more being added to the list.  Yes, this is truly a wonderful experience in so many ways.”

Thank you Margery, for your account of everyday life in Dhaka and giving our readers a glimpse of your semester overseas!