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A three-day specialised clinical training programme has begun to strengthen gender-sensitive and evidence-based treatment services for women struggling with substance use disorders.
The training, titled “Comprehensive Care for Substance Use Disorder (WISE) — Course One: Clinical Care for Women with Substance Use Disorders,” began on Tuesday (August 18) and will continue until August 20.
Dhaka Ahsania Mission and the Bangladesh chapter of the International Society of Women’s Health (ISAP) are jointly organising the programme under the Women’s Intervention of Substance Exposure (WISE) initiative.
Doctors, clinicians and professionals involved in addiction treatment and rehabilitation services are taking part in the training. Its main objective is to enhance participants’ clinical knowledge, practical skills and capacity to provide effective treatment for women with substance use disorders.
The programme also focuses on trauma-informed and culturally sensitive approaches tailored to women’s specific needs.
Key topics include the physical, psychological and social effects of substance use, treatment engagement and retention, screening and comprehensive assessment, individualised treatment planning, clinical interventions, and creating safe and supportive treatment environments.
Participants are also being trained to address co-occurring mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and eating disorders.
Alongside theoretical sessions, the training features group discussions, role-playing, case studies and hands-on exercises to develop practical clinical skills.
Experienced resource persons Iqbal Masud, Md Tanvir Ahmed and Jannatul Ferdous are conducting different sessions and guiding participants through the course modules and practical activities.
Organisers said women affected by substance use disorders often face distinct health risks, social stigma, violence, and family and social barriers, which can make it difficult to access and remain in treatment.
They said treatment services therefore need to take women’s specific circumstances, needs and life experiences into account alongside conventional clinical approaches.
Against this backdrop, the WISE training is expected to strengthen gender-sensitive, humane and evidence-based addiction treatment and rehabilitation services for women.
It is also seen as an important step towards developing a more skilled workforce and building safer, more effective and inclusive treatment and recovery systems in Bangladesh.
Dhaka Ahsania Mission currently operates two specialised facilities for women — the Mayer Hashi Mental Health Service Centre and the Ahsania Mission Women’s Drug Addiction Treatment and Rehabilitation Centre.
The facilities provide specialised mental health, addiction treatment and rehabilitation services for women.