A documentation on BRAC's Shastho shebika: exploring the possibilities of institutionalisation

Abstract

Shastho shebikas (SS) are health cadres, selected from BRAC's Village Organisations (VO). They are the nucleus of BRAC health programmes and are trained in preventative, promotive and curative aspects of health. As the frontline work force, their role and functions in BRAC health programmes are enormous. BRAC health programmes cover approximately thirty-five million people by mobilising these shastho shebikas. BRAC has been using the SS since 1977, and several studies have been done so far on different aspects relevant to the SS. The present study has made an effort to document the present situation of SS using various primary and secondary sources. Concurrently the study tried to explore the possibilities of institutionalise the activities of SSs in the community.