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Our journey continued as our Australian and Canadian team moved from India to Bangladesh, exploring projects that sit at the intersection of healthcare and microfinance. Over several days, we met inspiring partners and witnessed firsthand the transformative impact they’re making in people’s lives.
Arriving in Dhaka, Bangladesh’s capital, is an experience all its own. The city is alive—vibrant, fast-paced, and buzzing with activity. And the traffic? It’s unforgettable. From the moment you leave the airport, you’re immersed in a chaotic yet fascinating mix of vehicles: decorated tuk-tuks, Uber-connected CNGs (enclosed tuk-tuks), bicycles, pedestrians, cars, trucks, buses, carts—everything jostling for space on the same roads.
And then there’s the noise. Honks and bells fill the air, a constant back-and-forth communication between drivers, each sound signaling intent. It feels wild at first, but somehow, there’s a rhythm to it all—a kind of organic order. While I wouldn’t dare attempt driving here myself, I was grateful for the skilled drivers who navigated us through the city and beyond to our project sites.
Shakti Foundation: Empowering Women, Transforming Communities
Our first stop was the Shakti Foundation, founded in 1992 by the remarkable Dr. Humaira Islam. Over dinner, we had the privilege of hearing her story—a story of relentless passion for empowering women. Dr. Islam has spent decades helping women rise out of poverty, and her commitment is as vibrant today as it was when Shakti began.
Starting as a microfinance institution in Bangladesh, Shakti now operates 530 branches across 55 districts, serving nearly 425,000 women. It’s built on trust—the kind of deep, community-based trust that allows real transformation to take root.
Healthcare at the Last Mile
While Shakti’s origins lie in microfinance, they’ve gone further, addressing critical barriers to women’s health. One initiative we were particularly excited to see is their partnership with Opportunity International to deliver healthcare to women in remote villages through mobile clinics.
This project is led by Dr. Shamsher Ali Kahn, a force of nature who is as passionate about health and climate resilience as he is about empowering communities. Together, Shakti and Opportunity International are tackling the systemic barriers these women face—barriers like cost, access, and mobility.
Shakti Medical Care Centers (SMCCs): Healthcare Close to Home
To address the lack of primary care for women, Shakti established 96 Medical Care Centers (SMCCs) in communities served by its microfinance network. Staffed by experienced female medical assistants, these centres provide tailored care in safe, accessible environments. Women who previously had no reliable healthcare options now have a place to turn, right in their own neighbourhoods.
Mobile Clinics: Reaching Even Further
But for women in the most remote areas, even the SMCCs can feel out of reach. To bridge this gap, Shakti and Opportunity International launched mobile clinics—11 vans staffed by trained Medical Assistants. These vans bring healthcare directly to the villages, offering basic screenings, health education, and virtual consultations with SMCC physicians for diagnosis and treatment.
Each van is equipped with essential tools—oxygen, blood pressure monitors, pulse oximeters, and more. They also tackle stigmatized topics like menstrual hygiene, providing education and resources to break down barriers.
Together, the mobile clinics and SMCCs focus on some of the most pressing health challenges for women, from cancers and cardiovascular diseases to diabetes and hypertension. This innovative approach is truly healthcare for her, by her—and it’s making a profound difference.
The Power of Partnership
This inspiring partnership between Shakti Foundation and Opportunity International is a testament to the extraordinary power of women-led innovation. By uniting microfinance and healthcare, they are not only addressing urgent medical needs but also unlocking the potential for women to lead healthier, more empowered lives. Standing in those villages, witnessing the impact firsthand, I was reminded of the incredible resilience and determination of women who refuse to let barriers define their futures.
This is the heart of transformation—when trust, opportunity, and vision converge to rewrite the story of poverty. Together, we’re not just reaching the last mile; we’re paving a pathway to hope and lasting change.