Bangladesh: Dhaka, Praava Health

This site is offered in collaboration with the Tamer Center for Social Enterprise at Columbia's Business School.

Launched in 2018, Praava has become one of the fastest-growing healthcare providers in emerging markets, having already served 400K+ patients to date in Bangladesh and achieving profitability within 4 years. Praava's unique click-and-brick platform that combines innovative digital health offerings with a full suite of quality in-person patient care services can serve as a model for healthcare providers in other emerging markets and beyond. Praava has been recognized as a 2021 World Economic Forum Technology Pioneer and a 2020 Fast Company World Changing Idea and Developing World Technology, and is the subject of case studies published by Harvard and Columbia Business Schools. Praava is a singularly patient-focused company that aims to be every patient’s first call, seamlessly integrating robust infrastructure with innovative technology to optimize quality, efficiency, accessibility, & scalability of the brick & click model. Praava exists to provide the best patient experience, and we believe that everyone should have access to convenient, affordable care of the highest quality. Our internationally renowned providers believe in the foundation of family medicine and are equipped with state-of-the-art technology to provide the best possible care to each patient, whether in the safety and comfort of their homes or in our clinic. Prevention of unnecessary hospitalizations enables Praava Health to strengthen the health of the population and reduce the strain on the health system of Bangladesh.

Columbia University Faculty Liaison: Kim Hekimian, PhD
Site Mentor: Sylvana Q. Sinha, Esq., Founder, Chair, and CEO

Research opportunities available at this site:
Summer Research Projects

Site operated in partnership with the Tamer Center at Columbia's Business School:  additional paperwork will be needed post-selection

Thematic Research Areas at this site:
Access to healthcare, Epidemiology, Health Systems and Health Governance, Infectious Diseases, Non-communicable Diseases, Digital Health, Health Information, and Mobile Health

Global Pop funds students from the following CUIMC Schools at this site:
VP&S, MSPH, and CDM

Language requirement:
No

Potential activities that could be carried out by students at this site:
Data collection, Data monitoring, Data analysis, Program monitoring and evaluation, Summarizing/Disseminating results, Formulation of recommendations/policy guidance, and Development of Educational Materials, Developing and Implementing Best Practices

Helpful Links:
Praava Health's website
2022 Intern Testimonial