Submission ID 131496
| Issue/Objective | Health equity in Bangladesh is constrained by systemic and sociocultural barriers, including shortages and unequal distribution of skilled health professionals and weak governance. Barriers in the nursing workforce act as one of the key upstream drivers of health inequity-they influence access, quality, and responsiveness, in the health system. The nursing sector faces excessive workloads, limited access to quality education and career growth, poor work environments, and gender discrimination. Despite comprising 90% of the workforce, women are underrepresented in leadership. ProNurse addresses these barriers by strengthening the nursing sector in Bangladesh. |
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| Methodology/Approach | ProNurse is an eight-year initiative funded by Global Affairs Canada and implemented with Directorate General of Nursing and Midwifery (DGNM), Bangladesh Nursing and Midwifery Council (BNMC), and Bangladesh Nursing Association (BNA) to strengthen the nursing sector in Bangladesh. Supported by Université de Montréal and CASN, it focuses on improving education through curriculum reform and stronger regulation, enhancing skills and professional status via specialized training and gender-responsive career pathways. It also focuses on creating an enabling environment by promoting gender equality, leadership, workplace safety, and a positive public image of nurses. |
| Results | A qualitative study (22 FGDs, 8 KIIs, 28 IDIs) in April 2025 with nearly 200 nurses and policymakers found notable improvement in confidence, clinical competency, and leadership skills among nurses who received training. Study participants reported better teaching quality, materials, and more inclusive, interactive learning environments. A post-training survey of 114 nurses showed strong retention of knowledge on gender (81%), equality (58%), positive masculinity (70%), and complaint mechanisms (65%). Institutional accountability improved through 106 Workplace Safety and Protection Committees across 69 institutions and 35 facilities. Female nurses secured over 50% of district level leadership positions in the recent BNA election following continuous advocacy and capacity building. |
| Discussion/Conclusion | Strengthening nursing workforce is a critical for addressing upstream barriers to health equity in Bangladesh. Nurses play a central role in ensuring the inclusiveness of healthcare systems. Empowering them is therefore essential for achieving lasting and equitable health outcomes. By linking women's empowerment with improvements in education, workplace conditions, and professional recognition, ProNurse demonstrated remarkable contribution towards a more inclusive health system in Bangladesh. |
| Presenters and Affiliations | Bilkis Akter Cowater International Inc Jesmin Akter Dhaka Nursing College Rahima Khanam Directorate General of Nursing and Midwifery Ammatun Noor Dinajpur General Hospital Bilkis Akhter Cowater International Inc |
