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Bangladesh Health Project in Bhasan Char

Project completed

Within the objective of the Government of Bangladesh to relocate up to 100’000 Rohingya refugees to Bhasan Char, the provision of health services was also set-up. The project scales-up these health services thus reducing complicated referrals by sea and land to the Noakhali district hospital. This project allows Switzerland to follow the situation on Bhasan Char by supporting Friendship which will continue to provide health services on the island to improve the health status of the refugees.

Country/region Topic Period Budget
Bangladesh
Health
Health systems strengthening
Non-communicable diseases
Reproductive health & rights
01.09.2022 - 31.08.2024
 CHF  550’000
The project in brief
Background Some 27’000 refugees are currently residing in Bashan Char, where the Government of Bangladesh plans to relocate up to 100’000 refugees from the camps in Cox’s Bazar to address the congested camp conditions. The United Nations humanitarian response, which is led and coordinated by the UNHCR, seeks to complement the work of the Government and builds on the services and activities already implemented by Bangladeshi NGOs on the island. Friendship is one of the national NGOs providing health services on the island since 2020 with the Government of Bangladesh and went into partnership with UNHCR from 01.02.2022 to operate one of the two primary healthcare centers as well as some services in the 20 bed hospital. Switzerland supports this project despite the controversial relocation of refugees to a remote island within the humanitarian imperative to ensure the protection of refugees.
Objectives Improved health status of Rohingya refugees living in Bhasan Char by addressing the service gaps and providing specialized care to minimize morbidity and mortality, including emergency lifesaving interventions.
Target groups

27’000 Rohingya refugees (7’452 households) in Bashan Char:

  • 73% male and 27% female headed households
  • 19% of households have at least one member with disability
  • 26% of households have at least one pregnant or lactating woman
  • 32% of the population is school aged

(Source: WFP food security survey July 2022)

Doctors: 15, nurses: 20, medical assistants: 20, midwife: 15, other technical staff: 20, community health workers: 34

 
Medium-term outcomes

Outcome 1: The access of Rohingya refugees to the Minimum Essential Health Service Package is increased on Bhasan Char as well as the referral system.

Outcome 2: Rohingya refugees have increased awareness on positive health practices and healthcare seeking behaviour.
Results

Expected results:  

  • Non-communicable Diseases services are introduced and eye, dental and Ear-Nose-Throat services are scaled-up to fill service gaps in the 20-bed hospital of the Ministry of Health
  • Health staff capacity is enhanced to provide required quality healthcare services at the 20-bed hospital of the Ministry of Health and primary healthcare centre
  • Referral mechanisms described in the referral guidelines are followed to enhance the timely referral of patients inside Bhasan Char and out of Bhasan Char
  • Information on health service delivery and positive health practices is provided to the Rohingya refugees for improved healthcare seeking behaviour
Directorate/federal office responsible SDC
Project partners Contract partner
International or foreign NGO
  • A contribution agreement with Friendship (a Bangladeshi NGO)


Coordination with other projects and actors United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Ministry of Health, Gonoshasthaya Kendra
Budget Current phase Swiss budget CHF    550’000 Swiss disbursement to date CHF    427’769 Total project since first phase Budget inclusive project partner CHF   550’000
Project phases

Phase 1 01.09.2022 - 31.08.2024   (Completed)

  • Sector according to the OECD Developement Assistance Commitiee categorisation HEALTH
    HEALTH
    POPULATION POLICIES/PROGRAMMES & REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH
    Sub-Sector according to the OECD Developement Assistance Commitiee categorisation
    Health policy and administrative management
    Non-communicable diseases (NCDs)
    Reproductive health care
    Aid Type Project and programme contribution
    Project number

    7F11004

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Last update 29.07.2025