Research, Training and Management International (RTMI) is a nationally recognized resource organization providing technical, managerial and support services in the implementation of health, education, water and sanitation, post disaster management and other development program including research, training and technical assistance. RTMI is implementing development assistance support including health care services in different parts of Bangladesh including Cox’s Bazar District. RTMI is providing and supporting Essential Service Delivery (ESD) services to the people residing in Cox’s Bazar District including Teknaf and Ukhiya Upazillas (registered and undocumented refugees and local population). RTMI is the only Bangladesh-based NGO involved in health sector activities and working with the local population, Undocumented Myanmar Refugees (UMRs) and in the two refugee camps at Teknaf (Nayapara) and Ukhiya (Kutupalong) Upazillas since 2008. Over 32,645 refugee population was being given services before the new influx of refugees in 2017.

Major activities of RTMI in Teknaf and Ukhiya involving FDMN (Forcefully Displaced Myanmar Nationals) is supported by UNHCR, UNFPA, UNICEF, UN Women, IOM and other development partners like Pathfinder International, Women for Women International and Medicines du Monde Suisse (MdM-CH). Major areas of our activities include: Health, Population and Nutrition, shelter and non-food items, protection, and livelihood and skills development. Some specific examples of the major activities are: i) Maternal Health and newborn care services through birthing units (BUs) of health service delivery in the refugee camps, ii) Family Planning (FP) service for the camp refugee population, iii) Operation of Adolescent and Youth Corner within the refugee camps, iv) Community Based Outreach Network (CBON) program involving young group of refugee population, v) Capacity building for RTMI staff working in the camps and community people, vi) Stakeholders workshop on RH needs of refugees in the official camps, Undocumented Mayanmar Refugees (UMR) and host population in Cox’s Bazar, vii) Combating Nutrient Deficiency in Refugee Community, Operation of Adolescent and Youth Corner, viii) Basic Education Program (BEP) in Kutupalong and Nayapara camps for Rohingya Refugees, ix) Prevention of Sexual and Gender based violence (SGBV), HIV/AIDS Program, x) Community Technology Assistance (CTA) project for Myanmar Refugees. xi) Skill development activities for refugee population including cutting and sewing, entrepreneurship development, computer education, and non-formal education. Xii) community mobilization (including for each 1000 population one Community Health Volunteer (CHV) is recruited and 8-10 CHVs are supervised by a Field Supervisor).

UNHCR commissioned RTMI to undertake nutrition interventions inside the camps. Sprinkles were distributed among Pregnant and Lactating mother, girls approaching reproductive health, and children under five. Forty-Two Youth and Adolescent volunteers from the refugee community were selected and trained for distributing the sprinkles and ensuring proper consumption by the target population. In addition, community awareness programs were undertaken for successful implementation of the program.  RTMI is currently working in 20 FDMN camps in implementing a nutrition program for vulnerable Rohingya and Host Communities in Cox’s Bazar, in particular Children Under five, adolescents, pregnant and lactating women. Under this project, RTMII is providing IYCF Services through 11 PHCs and 10 Health Posts across 20 FDMN Camps in Ukhiya and Teknaf Upazilas under the Cox’s Bazar District. RTMI has engaged IYCF Counselor in the targeted health facility ANC Corners to counsel pregnant and lactating mothers on IYCF and related issues. Apart from the IYCF Programing, there are a number of Nutrition Centers established throughout the FDMN Camps which treats critically malnourished children and adults. If such cases are found in the health facilities, the IYCF Counselor refers them to the nearest Nutrition centers according to the Nutrition Sector Referral Pathway.

RTMI is working with UNHCR in implementing a project on ‘Provision of Health and GBV Services to Rohingya Refugees in Cox’s Bazar, BGD’, which has a strong component on protection including GBV.   RTMI with the technical support from UNHCR is working with stakeholders and beneficiaries to ensure that the persons of concern (PoC) enjoy their rights in a safe environment. It is expected that 100% of the target beneficiaries will have equal access to the services under the project. The activities to be delivered are comprehensive PHC services as defined in the health sector’s Cox’s Bazar Minimum Package of Essential Health Services (MPEHS) for primary healthcare facilities, consistent with the UNHCR Global Health strategy and contextual realities of Ukhiya and Teknaf. Depending on the type of health facility (either Health Post (HP) or Primary Health Care Centre (PHC), the services are to be provided as per MPEHS package guidelines. MPEHS package includes child health, general health, health systems strengthening, immunization, family planning, maternal and new-born health, reproductive health services, non-communicable diseases (NCD), HIV and STI, mental health, GBV and psychosocial support and referrals for secondary and tertiary health care to the populations living in the refugee camps and neighbouring host population. It also includes referral services in the area of health, promotional health awareness and general health sector related activities including community surveillance, rumors and complaints about feedbacks and accountability, and life-saving GBV prevention and response services for crisis-affected people. RTMI is currently working with the approval of UNHCR in over 17 GBV facilities operating under 13 different camps to provide GBV services. Moreover, RTMI will also initiate the male engagement activities in suitable and preferred camps in the future in consultation of the GBV Unit.

RTMI is also working in Bhasanchar (an island, where FDMN population are relocated by GOB) through its support by providing technical human resources for 20-bed hospital and establishing a Health Post to provide health care services.

RTMI is currently implementing a sub-contract with BANDHU (an organization involved in working at risk population) with financial from UNHCR to implement a project involving Female Sex Worker (FSW) and transgender population. RTMI is working with Bandhu as a partner through the management of five Drop-in-Centers (three DICs & two sub DICs) to work with MSM (Men who have sex with men) and FSWs. The project will also continue to work on the COVID 19 preparedness for the refugees in their sheds; isolate, treat and refer those cases to SARI-ITC as required following the referral pathway.   

In addition, RTMI is working with the host population of Cox’s Bazar District.  Government health and FP Service delivery points (SDPs) like strengthening of UHFWC, Community Clinics (CCs), Rural Dispensaries, MCWC, and Upazilla Health Complex are receiving support to improve the quality of services in the facilities through renovation, equipment and technical staff support. RTMI is also providing technical, managerial and staffing support for implementing GOB’s EPI program in all upazillas of Cox’s Bazar district.