BHW organized a day-long workshop on "Sustainable Regional Chapters", attended by presidents of Health Rights Forums (HRFs), youth coordinators, host organization representatives, and the BHW secretariat team. The event took place on 31 August at Brac Learning Centre.
The objectives were to:
The expected outcomes included concrete sustainability models and identification of challenges with possible solutions.
The workshop began with speeches from Professor Rounaq Jahan, Chair of BHW’s Advisory Group, and Dr. Ahmed Mushtaque Raza Chowdhury, Convenor of the Working Group. Both highlighted leadership transition, youth engagement, and financial sustainability as critical challenges. They stressed the importance of persistent dialogue with authorities and scaling up RC initiatives for broader impact. BHW’s Research Coordinator, Ms. Mahruba Khanam, presented evidence on the RC model’s success and emphasized the urgency of sustainability planning.
Participants were divided into five groups representing host organization executives, focal members, forum members, youth forum members, and the BHW secretariat. Each group addressed specific guiding questions on sustainability and challenges.
Group 1: Host Organization Executives
They emphasized that RC work aligns with their organizational missions and enhances trust with government authorities. For sustainability, they suggested mobilizing local resources, forming partnerships, and seeking donor support. Challenges such as limited skilled staff and weak cooperation from health authorities were noted. Expansion into more upazilas and medical college districts was strongly recommended.
Group 2: Focal Members
As key coordinators of daily activities, they acknowledged political instability and logistical challenges, including reimbursement delays and expectations of honoraria from officials. They stressed integrating RC advocacy into host organizations’ core programs and building members’ advocacy capacity.
Group 3: Health Rights Forum Members
Forum members proposed creating a contributory fund through membership fees and engaging wealthy community members and social activists for support. They recommended restructuring forums with additional leadership roles, while maintaining the diverse membership base of journalists, CSOs, retired officials, and local representatives.
Group 4: Youth Forum Members
Youth participants highlighted their active role in awareness campaigns, hospital monitoring, and reporting. They proposed engaging marginalized groups, recruiting new volunteers, and strengthening inclusivity. Capacity-building needs included leadership, public speaking, and project management training, supported by strong central coordination.
Group 5: BHW Secretariat Team
The Secretariat stressed reducing RC dependency by enhancing host organization capacity and fostering ownership among forum members. Sustainability strategies included embedding RC activities into host programs, mobilizing resources through membership contributions, and building a strong RC brand. They identified operational challenges such as limited staff, inadequate documentation, and weak national-level advocacy.
Guests from Sida and BHW’s Working Group emphasized practical recommendations including local resource mobilization, strong leadership, and community-driven sustainability. They suggested developing contributory membership funds, expanding RCs to more districts, and ensuring effective coordination between host organizations and forums.
The workshop reaffirmed the RC model as a vital citizen-led platform for advancing health rights and accountability in Bangladesh. Sustainability will require strong ownership, diversified funding, and strategic expansion. By embedding RC activities into local institutions and strengthening advocacy capacity, Regional Chapters can evolve into resilient, community-owned platforms ensuring the long-term success of BHW’s vision.
Citizen's Voice