Community health clinics help rural folk heave sigh of relief

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DHAKA, March 31, 2019 (BSS) – Local populations, particularly those who have or are at risk of the poorest health and have the greatest economic and social needs are presently heaving sign of relief as community health clinics are being operated across the country. Since 2009, the community health clinics have been providing a wide range of services and health promotion activities to rural populations.

Encouraging people to actively participate in their own health care the community clinics have now become an integral part in the life of the poorer section of people across the country. Around 80 percent women and children of rural areas are now blessed with health service facilities from the community clinics.

Besides, the pregnant women of rural areas are also getting their health services from the clinics.

A monthly report on the clinics shows that around 60 to 70 people are taking health services from their respective clinics every day. Of them, around 75 to 80 percent are women and children.

Community Health Provider of Naikkyangchari Upazila Sadar Community Clinic of Bandarban Sadan Chakma said the poor people in the remote areas are now getting proper treatment due to establishment of the community health clinics by the present government.

He said a total of 1255 people received health services during the month of January at his clinic. Of them, 964 are female and the rest are male.

Health Care Provider of Lama Community Clinic of Bandarban M Rasul said a total of 1329 poor people took their health services from his clinics. Of them, 798 are women, 42 children, 28 pregnant women and 443 male.

Former health and family welfare minister Mohammad Nasim said, “Community clinic project is an exemplary outcome of visionary leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The BNP-Jamaat alliance government shut down community clinics due to their revengeful politics.”

“After assuming power, the Awami League government reopened community clinics. Now the community clinics have become a role model for healthcare services around the world,” he added. Nasim said delivery services for pregnant mothers are now available at over 900 community clinics. Around 80 to 90 lakh people of are availing the health service facilities every month, the former minister added.

According to the sources of the project, there are 13,236 community clinics in the country. Now, 80 to 90 percent rural people are receiving treatment facilities from community clinics.

The community clinic project sources said in 2010, the number of service recipients from community clinics was 2.36 crore while 3.72 crore people received healthcare services in 2011, 7.22 crore in 2012, 9.85 crore in 2013 and 10 crore in 2014.

According to a survey of National Population Research and Training, 80 percent people are happy to get medicines and medical advices from community clinics while another survey of National Institute of Preventive and Social Medicine (NIPSOM) showed that 98 percent people are satisfied with healthcare services of community clinics.

Community health services focus on health promotion, and disease prevention and management, which are designed to improve the health and wellbeing of local residents, as well as take pressure off the acute care health system.

The establishment of community clinics brings health care to the community doorstep. Now people can avail of health, family planning and nutrition services under one roof. The clinics provide counseling on reproductive health and consequences of early marriage, and also supply contraceptives as well as care for pregnant women.