Shimantik, a national non-government organization in Bangladesh, started its activities back in 1979 initially to provide succor to the flood- stricken people of Zakigonj and Kanaighat upazilas of Sylhet. It has since expanded its activities to cover wide ranging geographical and programmatic areas like non-formal and formal education, skill training, primary health care, reproductive health, family planning, new-born care, health research, non communicable disease, environmental development, women’s development, income generating activities and disaster relief.
Shimantik is one of the few NGOs in Bangladesh which has its head office in a rural area (at Zakigonj of Sylhet) and branch offices in urban area (including Dhaka) and other rural areas. It has 29 branch offices in different places of Bangladesh. It has implemented several big health care services projects both in rural and urban areas. It has implemented an USAID funded health care service delivery project in six upazilas of Sylhet district since 1997 under different contracts, namely Rural Service Delivery Project (RSDP), NGO Service Delivery Program (NSDP) and Smiling Sun Franchise Project (SSFP). Shimantik has also implemented primary health care services with EOC services under UPHCP (phase I and II) in Dhaka City Corporation (PA-5) from 2000 and in Sylhet City Corporation from 2007 with a very good reputation. Family planning activities are an integral component of all these health related projects. Shimantik is one of the most experienced NGO working in health sector with over twenty five years of health and family Planning services in Sylhet Division
Shimantik’s head office is located at Zakigonj upazila of Sylhet, Bangladesh. In Sylhet division, it has branch offices in Kanaighat, Beani-bazar, Golapgonj, Balagonj, Biswanath, Fenchugonj, Jaintapur, Hobigonj Sadar, Madhabpur, Lakhai, Bahubal, Sunamgonj district town, Moulovibazer district town and Sylhet City Corporation area. There are also 7 (seven) PHCs (Rongdhanu Clinic), 1 CRHCC and 1 VCT Centers and a coordination office (including some other project offices - Baluchar) in Sylhet City Corporation. There are six primary health care centre (Surjer Hashi Clinic) in six upazila named Zakigonj, Kanaighat, Beanibazer, Golapgonj, Balagonj and Jaintapur upazila. In Dhaka City, it has a maternity centre at Khilgaon which is functioning by its own fund. It has also office at Khilgaon for conducting two operational research project with ICDDR,B on effectiveness of vitamin D and calcium for pregnant women. Shimantik has also established a health facility named “Shimantik Projahnmo Clinic” at Tongipara upazila of Gopalgonj district.
Shimantik has a fully equipped training centre at Sylhet town; a teacher’s training college (B.Ed. College), a formal school (up to junior high school) and a college at Sylhet City Corporation area. It has also a formal school at Zakogonj with its head office. Shimantik is also running 10 non formal primary education centre at Zakigonj upazila. Shimantik has two separate human resource centre ( Community Midwifery Education Program and Community Paramedic Course) in Sylhet City Corporation area.
Shimantik has more than 1000 permanent staff with senior level skilled professionals including more than 25 Medical Doctors and 100 nurses.
Legal Status :
Shimantik is registered with NGO Affairs Bureau and Social Service Department of Bangladesh.