By Dr Aynal Haque

RAJSHAHI, Feb 9, 2022 (BSS) - Kachua Community Clinic (CC) has attained trust of rural people in its locality in providing primary healthcare services, including antenatal (ANC), postnatal (PNC) and neonatal care.

For the last couple of years, the CC, around 12 kilometers off the nearby Upazila Health Complex, is ensuring treatment of minor ailments, common diseases and first aid in addition to health education and counseling.

Located in Tanore Upazila of the district, the community clinic is also screening of chronic non communicable diseases together with extending nutritional education and micro-nutrient supplements.

"We also have maternal and neonatal health care services, integrated management of childhood illness, reproductive health, family planning services and an expanded program on immunization in the CC," said Lutfun Nahar, Community Healthcare Provider.

She said the 'Public Health Improvement Initiative Rajshahi (PHIIR) Project' is extending necessary support for infusing dynamism into the service delivery activities of the CC.

On behalf of the project, the seating arrangement with its shed was expanded at a cost of Taka 38,430 for welfare of the service-receivers recently.

DASCOH Foundation has been implementing the PHIIR project supported by Swiss Red Cross (SRC) at five upazila health complexes, 42 Union Health and Family Welfare Centres and 110 Community Clinics under Bagmara, Charghat and Tanore upazilas in Rajshahi and Porsha and Sapahar in Naogaon.

The project is intended to improve the health status of the targeted population with a special focus on maternal, neonatal and child health at primary health care centres.

Lutfun Nahar said they recorded services of 316 ANC, 29 PNC, 185 family planning, 831 child and 22,691 general health till December last since October 2019.

"We provided 27 types of medicines to the patients," Nahar said.

Tarima Khatun, 19, a resident of the nearby Kamargaon village, said she is very happy after getting ANC service along with necessary medicines like Iron, calcium tables and advice from the CC.

PHIIR Project Manager Tozammel Haque told BSS that the present government of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is determined to running the community clinics effectively. "So, we are working here to supplement the government endeavour," he added.

A 12-member joint monitoring team led by Upazila Nirbahi Officer Pankaj Chandra Debnath and Upazila Health and Family Planning Officer Dr Barnabas Hasdak visited the CC on February 3 last expressing their satisfaction over its service delivery activities.

Dr Hasdak told BSS that integrated efforts of government and non-government organization is needed to ensure maternal and neonatal health