Advocacy Programme

The Advocacy Programme is about advocating for pro-poor Health Policies and influencing governments, leaders and NGOs to implement pro-poor Health Systems. LAMB’s aim is to produce communication materials and use networking channels for targeted change.

An effective and strong Health System is dependent on different areas such as governance and an empowered workforce. LAMB seeks to influence systems and policies with lessons learned in implementing our integrated rural health and development projects. All with the aim of improving the Health Policies and Systems of Bangladesh.

LAMB seeks to influence by asking these questions:

• What policies and systems do we most want to and are able to influence?

• Who can we influence that has the ability to influence policy?

• What materials, events and media can we use to influence?

LAMB shapes advocacy messages around WHO-identified building blocks to Health Systems Strengthening. These contributions work toward the world-wide Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) of Universal Health Coverage.

Policies and systems where we can contribute

Service Delivery

• Facility delivery - skilled birth attendant, nurse, doctor

• Fistula care - prevention

• C-SBAs - midwives in the community and hospitals contribute to reducing C-sections

• Chaplaincy/ counseling/ spiritual care

Financing

• Healthcare equity – rich/ poor usage

• argeted subsidies

Medical Products, Technologies

• Rational use of drugs

• Appropriate level of technology

Management, Governance Integration:  

• mutually accountable community, health services, authorities

Health Workforce  

• Hospital staff mix/efficiency

  • Training of the various skill levels of obstetric care

  • Nurse anesthetists

• Staff recruitment and retention.

• Training Centre methods: skills- and values-based

• Regular teaching/ in-services for all staff. Keeping up-to-date.

• Nurse empowerment

• Nurse-doctor teamwork

• Hands on nursing, by local standards

LAMB Partnerships and channels of potential influence

• Donor agencies – USAID, JICA, DFID, CIDA, UNICEF, KOICA

• International funders/ organisations – PLAN, Concern, White Ribbon Alliance, UNFPA, WHO, World Renew

• National organisations – BRAC, OGSB, ICDDR,B, GK

• Government of Bangladesh officials – both national and district level

• International public health schools - BRAC School of Public Health

• Christian networks - CHGN, CMAB, HCFSA

• Direct contacts

Ways to influence

A well-resourced advocacy programme will include targeted messages, trained messengers, and methods appropriate to the audience. Message papers are designed to highlight a problem, LAMB’s proposed solution, and potential impact. Staff analyze research, experience and data to craft actionable recommendations.

Advocates from LAMB are trained to identify the most effective methods, using printed and electronic media. Individuals communicate clearly in meetings, information sharing days and events.