PKSF General Body Member Visited SKS’ Programs

Shofiqul Islam Shahed, a member of the PKSF General Body, visited SKS Foundation’s field programs in Gaibandha on 17 August 2025 as part of an evaluation of partner organizations’ programs.

At the program fields, Shofiqul Islam Shahed exchanged views with members of a samiti named ‘Mitali’ in Konchipara Union of Gaibandha Sadar Upazila and reviewed their savings & credit activities and outcomes. He also inspected homestead renovation work for distressed families, met members of the ‘Mother & Child Forum’, and observed innovative ginger cultivation in sacks in a flood-prone area under the Pathways to Prosperity for Extremely Poor People–European Union (PPEPP-EU) project.

The Member also visited tank-based fish farming and ready-to-cook fish product initiatives under the Rural Micro Enterprise Transformation Project (Fish). Alongside, he interacted with the trainers and unemployed youth participated in the training course organized under the Recovery and Advancement of Informal Sector Employment (RAISE) project. Expressing satisfaction with the initiatives, he emphasized on the importance of ensuring the sustainability of the program outcomes.

Besides the field program visit, Shofiqul Islam Shahed met senior officials of SKS Foundation at its conference hall and discussed the outcomes he observed in line with the relevant organizational and program implementation strategies.

Consultation on FANSA-BD Advocacy Strategy Held

SKS Foundation, the Secretariat of FANSA Bangladesh, organized a virtual Consultation on the draft Advocacy Strategy for FANSA Bangladesh on 3 August 2025. The Consultation consolidated the critical thoughts and inputs from the FANSA-BD members nationwide before finalization of the strategy. Dr. Md. Mujibur Rahman, Professor, Dept. of Civil Engineering, United International University (UIU), and Director, Center for Smart Infrastructure Resilience and Sustainability (CSIRS-UIU), (Former Director of ITN-BUET), who is leading the process of developing the Advocacy Strategy, made a comprehensive presentation on the draft Strategy upholding the FANSA-BD Mission and national WASH context & concerns.

The participants in the Consultation came up with some important recommendations. They pinpointed that the Strategy should include context-specific directions regarding safe & inclusive WASH facilities in the hilly area, coastal belt, haor zone, tea garden, char & flood-prone areas, drought area, urban settings, etc. FANSA-BD advocacy should ensure that water source contamination is prevented and drinking water is free from any kind of pollution. The Strategy should also guide on the important issues that FANSA Bangladesh should run advocacy on a priority basis. FANSA Bangladesh, with its networking power, should need to advocate to convince the government to materialize the strategic directions to minimize the policy gaps concerning promotion of WASH services.

The Consultation also felt the need that the Strategy directs forming a coalition for effective advocacy covering the WASH, environment & climatic concerns. Joseph Halder, Director- Advocacy & Communication of SKS Foundation and National Convener of FANSA Bangladesh moderated the Consultation. More than 65 participants from FANSA-BD member organizations attended the Consultation.

Advanced Eye Diagnostic Machines Inaugurated at SKS Eye Hospital

Two advanced eye diagnostic machines were inaugurated at SKS Eye Hospital with the support of the Government of Japan under the Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGHSP). Karasawa Shinju, First Secretary at the Embassy of Japan in Bangladesh, inaugurated the machines on 15 July 2025 at SKS Eye Hospital, Gaibandha.  

The newly installed machines- Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) and Visual Field Analyzer- will significantly enhance the Hospital’s capacity to provide quality eye care services to underprivileged patients in the area at an affordable cost.

Speaking at the ceremony as Special Guest, Dr. Md. Rafiquzzaman, Civil Surgeon, Gaibandha, emphasized the healthcare needs of the district's flood-affected and remote char areas. “There is scope to improve healthcare in Gaibandha. Alongside the government, NGOs like SKS Foundation are playing a vital role in addressing these needs,” he said.

Karasawa Shinju, First Secretary at the Embassy of Japan in Bangladesh, stated as the Guest of Honor, “Residents no longer need to travel to major cities for advanced eye treatment. With modern diagnostic services now available in Gaibandha, this initiative will reduce the distress of populations and demonstrate Japan’s continued commitment to supporting the people of Bangladesh.”

Md. Ayub Ali, Ex-Chairperson, SKS Foundation, emphasized the importance of the initiative. “Health and education are key priorities in this region. This joint initiative by the Japanese Government and SKS Foundation will greatly benefit marginalized populations,” he said.

Murshed Alam Sarker, Chairperson, SKS Foundation, expressed sincere gratitude to the Government of Japan. “With the installation of these 2 modern machines, SKS Eye Hospital can now offer even more accessible and high-quality eye care to the local population,” he said.

Rasel Ahmed Liton, Chief Executive, SKS Foundation, Makiguchi Yasuyuki, Second Secretary of the Embassy of Japan, and Titus Doffo, Consultant, GGHSP were present at the event.