Peer-reviewed article
Building Capacity in Crisis: Evaluating a Health Assistant Training Program for Young Rohingya Refugee Women.
Alnaji N, Akesson B, Stewart-Tufescu A, Hafiz MG, Hoque S et al. ·
Summary
Written by AI, not yet AICS's view · claude-haiku-4-5-20251001This study evaluates a nine-month Health Assistant Training program that teaches young Rohingya refugee women in Bangladesh skills to support maternal and child healthcare. The program aims to fill gaps in healthcare access and education for women and children in overcrowded refugee camps. Using interviews, focus groups and observations, researchers found the program was accepted by the community and had positive impacts on both the trained women and their communities. The study suggests the program could be expanded and replicated in other humanitarian settings.
Key points
- The program trained young Rohingya women in essential knowledge and skills for maternal health services
- Community acceptance of the HAT Program was demonstrated
- The program improved healthcare access and enhanced women's empowerment
- Results showed positive impact on both participants and the broader community
- The program is proposed as a replicable model for other humanitarian settings
Limitations
This is a qualitative evaluation without a comparison group or control group, so it cannot determine whether observed changes would have occurred anyway or compare outcomes to alternative approaches. The study does not provide quantitative data on specific health or educational outcomes.
Abstract
Background The Rohingya refugee crisis is one of the largest humanitarian emergencies of the 21st century, with nearly one million Rohingya residing in overcrowded camps in southern Bangladesh. Women and children face the greatest vulnerabilities, including inadequate access to education and healthcare, which exacerbates their risks and limits opportunities for personal and community development. While international organizations continue to provide aid, resources remain insufficient, particularly in maternal and child healthcare, highlighting the urgent need for sustainable interventions. Objectives The Hope Foundation for Women and Children in Bangladesh launched a pilot project for the Health Assistant Training (HAT) program to address critical gaps in healthcare and education for the Rohingya community. This nine-month training program equips young Rohingya women with essential knowledge and skills to support maternal health services in both clinical and community settings. Design We conducted a qualitative evaluation of the HAT Program to explore its acceptance and anticipated benefits for both participants and the community. Methods The research team used semi-structured interviews, focus groups, and field observations to explore the HAT Program's impact on young Rohingya women and their community. They analyzed data through thematic analysis, developing a coding framework and identifying key themes to uncover patterns and insights. Results The results were categorized into four themes: (1) community acceptance of the HAT Program, (2) the HAT Program's impact on the health assistant trainees, (3) the impact of the HAT Program on the community, and (4) the potential ways to expand the HAT Program. Conclusions This research underscores the program's impact on improving healthcare access, enhancing women's empowerment, and promoting community resilience. By situating this initiative within the broader context of refugee health, education, and capacity-building, this research highlights the HAT program's potential as a replicable model in Bangladesh and in other humanitarian settings.