Recently, the Dhaka University branch of Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir installed sanitary napkin vending machines in five academic buildings on campus. The branding “SHIFA” is visible on these machines. Following this initiative, a claim has emerged that this activity by Chhatra Shibir is connected to the Shifa Foundation in Pakistan.
See some posts circulated on Facebook with this claim: here, here, and here.
Fact-check
An investigation by the Rumor Scanner team found that there is no connection between the sanitary napkin vending machines installed by Chhatra Shibir at Dhaka University and the Shifa Foundation of Pakistan. In reality, the vending machine is part of an independent initiative by Chhatra Shibir called ‘Students’ Health Initiative for All – SHIFA’. The ‘SHIFA’ logo on the vending machine is also completely different from the logo of Pakistan’s Shifa Foundation. Furthermore, the Shifa Foundation of Pakistan has confirmed to Rumor Scanner that they have no connection with this initiative.
To verify the matter, information was first sought about the Shifa Foundation of Pakistan. The organization’s website states that it was established in 1991 as a non-profit organization and is an affiliate of Shifa International Hospital. They primarily work in the sectors of healthcare, water and sanitation, environment and climate change, disaster management, and education. The organization claims to have provided assistance to nearly 8 million people in various regions of Pakistan since its inception. However, their website contains no information about any activities in Bangladesh or any joint ventures with Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir. Additionally, no information related to sanitary napkin vending machines could be found on the Shifa Foundation’s website or social media.
Subsequently, a comparison between the ‘SHIFA’ logo used on the vending machines at DU and the logo of the Shifa Foundation of Pakistan reveals a clear difference.
Further investigation revealed that Chhatra Shibir’s ‘SHIFA’ initiative stands for ‘Students’ Health Initiative for All’, which also has a Facebook page. Majharul Islam, Director of SHIFA, told Rumor Scanner, “Our initiative is not related to the Shifa Foundation of Pakistan. We were not even aware of this organization’s existence. Our ‘SHIFA’ is exclusively for the students of Dhaka University and is not affiliated with any national or international organization.”
A post published on SHIFA’s Facebook page on February 8 of this year shows that they organized a medical camp for Dhaka University students. It mentions the support of the Turkish development agency TİKA (TİKA Dhaka), Apon Foundation, Rhythm Bangladesh, Biopharma Ltd., and Ibn Sina Pharmaceutical. Majharul Islam clarified, “These are merely activity-based collaborations. There is no organizational relationship. The installation of vending machines and the provision of first-aid boxes in university halls are entirely our own initiatives.”
On the other hand, the Shifa Foundation of Pakistan informed Rumor Scanner that they have no direct or indirect connection with the recently installed sanitary napkin vending machines at Dhaka University. Furthermore, they are not associated in any way with Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir or Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami. The ‘Shifa’ branding, logo, or design used on the vending machines is also not related to their organization, and they are not currently conducting any operations in Bangladesh.
Therefore, the claim that the sanitary napkin vending machines installed by the Chhatra Shibir initiative at Dhaka University are linked to the Shifa Foundation of Pakistan is completely false.
Sources
- Shifa Foundation: Website
- SHIFA: Facebook Page
- Statement from Majharul Islam, Director, SHIFA
- Statement from Zia ur Rehman, Associate Director Operations, Shifa Foundation, Pakistan
