Browsing by Author "Sattar, M G"

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Managing NGOs for growth and change a case study of Proshika in Bangladesh
(BRAC Research and Evaluation Division (RED), 1998-08) Sattar, M G; Afreen, Neena; M G Samdani Fakir
The non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in South Asian countries have attained phenomenal growth, more so in Bangladesh. There has been manifold increase in the number of NGOs, their staff and operational budget NGO programmes have also undergone rapid expansion. These organisations arc however, facing difficulties in administering their diverse programmes and managing a diverse range of staff. A study was conducted on Proshika, a large NGO in Bangladesh, to examine how it has attained growth and handled management challenges. The study themes included (a) organisation and performance, (b) strategy, (c) participation, (d) leadership and succession, (e) gender, and (f) learning. Proshika works with 1.4 million rural and urban poor and operates wide range of programmes which include social mobilization, education, credit, employment and income generation, health and sanitation, housing, social forestry, ecological agriculture, policy advocacy, etc. Over the last ten years (1989-1998) there has been fantastic growth of Proshika as an organisation. The number of its programme participants increased by 3 50%, staff size rose by 460o/o, and there has been 40-fold increase of its operational budget during this period. Generous donors' support, continuing efforts in capacity development, staff motivation and incentives, and participatory approach to development contributed largely to the scaling-up Proshika. The study reveals that Proshika has so far managed its growth well. The founder leader has been providing good leadership which helped Proshika to get over an initial split of the organisation and develop it from a small scale into a big multifaceted organisation. But rapid growth has put strains on the management structures and systems. According to one recent review, overloads are becoming excessive. Rapid growth has also made a dent on the senior management which is overstretched and often uses 'crisis management approach' to major issues rather than strategic management.
Medical waste disposal at BRAC Health Centres : an environmental study
(BRAC Research and Evaluation Division (RED), 1997-06) Akter, Nasima; Acott, Rachael E; Sattar, M G; Chowdhury, Sadia A
The study was conducted to determine the awareness level of BRAC's Health Centre staff on disposal and handling of medical wastes, and to recommend improved methods to handle and dispose of medical waste in order to minimize the adverse impact on human health and the environment. Data was collected from 14 BHCs between during December to March 1997 from Mymensingh and Dinajpur districts using a two pronged approach: (i) field observations, and (ii) interviews. It was found that the health centers that dealt with deliveries and laboratory facilities produce hazardous and pathological waste. There ts insufficient awareness of the magnitude of the medical waste issue by health care workers and their beneficiaries Proper laboratory techniques (both preparation and analysis), and disposal of waste water are overlooked. In BHCs waste was burnt in open pits behind the clinic facilities and buried in the ground, and there was rarely a fixed location. The chemicals used for the staining and preservation of slides for the sterilization and cleaning of equipment and surroundings are potentially harmful to the laboratory technician and the environment. There has been no formal training of staff to teach them how to deal with the disposal of medical wastes, although they received training on laboratory analysis, but it is done on an adhoc basis. Environmental and health impacts associated with laboratory, delivery and tuberculosis wastes are: accumulation of toxic chemicals within the soil (proximity to agricultural fields. humans. soil organisms, wildlife, cattle); ground water contamination; public nuisance; improper sterilization of instruments used in labour room causing infection to mother and child; habitat destruction due to the increasing the number of sites necessary for disposal of degradable and non-degradable wastes. Open air burning does not guarantee proper incineration, and releases toxic fumes into the atmosphere from the burning of plastics i.e., PCB's. In conclusion. it can be said that close monitoring of existing safety regulations and guidelines. increasing awareness on environmental hazards, and proper waste management planning m needed to ensure health and environmental safety.