It’s the same scenario across the world: universal health coverage can’t be achieved if people don’t know what health care is available to them.

For many of us, being able to switch on the TV, scroll through our social media feeds and browse the internet means we are incredibly well informed about the health services available to us and the importance of regular check-ups.

But what if you didn’t have access to these forms of communication?

For many people with disabilities or those living in poverty, whether in remote, rural villages or congested cities, making ends meet is often a daily concern. This means they haven’t got the luxury of time or money to search for information about how they can get the health care they need.

In Bangladesh, we know the best way to make sure no one is left behind is to take the information directly to their doorstep. Enter the miking team!

Miking in action

Scroll around the 360-degree video to see how the team spreads the word.

Fareck, who was born with vision problems, attended an inclusive school supported by Sightsavers. Now with our support, he works for the local hospital and organises the miking activity. Today, he accompanies Mokhter and the driver Ahshanulla as part of a quality check. “This is a new location for us,” he explains. “We don’t know the roads, so I’m helping to guide the driver, and make sure the information is delivered properly, so that people can understand the messages.”

“We distribute leaflets but not everybody can read, so when we do the miking, if local people don’t understand [what’s being said], they stop us and ask more questions about the services.”

Mokhter explains the importance of getting the messaging right: “Some people are very suspicious about eye surgery; they sometimes tell people not to go to the hospital because they will pluck your eyes out.

“I’m stopped frequently by interested people. Many of them ask me questions about the announcement, so I take time to explain to them that doctors from Dhaka will come to visit poor patients.”

Both Fareck and Mokhter have been beneficiaries of Sightsavers’ social inclusion projects, and now they do their part to help their communities. They explain how miking ensures people who often face discrimination, such as women and people with disabilities, aren’t excluded from health care.

“Women get more benefit from the miking because they are often at their house,” Fareck explains. “We try to always organise the screening camp so women can complete their work and come quickly to get their eyes checked.”