‘PM Hasina’s community clinic scheme is groundbreaking’

Bangladesh Ambassador to Myanmar Monwar Hossain on Friday said Bangladesh’s pioneering community clinic programme, recognised by the UN as the “Sheikh Hasina Initiative”, is a highly effective approach to achieving universal health coverage.

He was speaking at a seminar titled “Community Based Healthcare: Road to Achieve Universal Health Coverage” as the keynote speaker at the University of Public Health in Yangon on Friday. The seminar was jointly organised by the Bangladesh Embassy in Yangon and the University of Public Health.     

Ambassador Dr Hossain, highlighted the significant progress Bangladesh has made under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in improving the healthcare status of its population through a pluralistic health system and community clinics.

He added that these efforts, coupled with improvements in the social determinants of health, have resulted in a notable progress in various health parameters, taking Bangladesh past its neighbouring countries and many other developing nations on these parameters.

The ambassador further added that the community clinic approach has benefited the marginalised individuals in rural areas of Bangladesh by ensuring: healthcare for the mothers and children, disease screening and tests, routine immunization, sexual and reproductive health care, mental health support, and referrals to higher-level facilities when necessary.

While describing the pioneering community clinic concept, the ambassador shared that the initiative draws its inspiration from Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s vision. She introduced the community clinic concept when she first became the prime minister of Bangladesh in 1996.

The ambassador also recalled the Father of the Nation who first conceptualised the idea of bringing health to the doorsteps of the rural people.

The ambassador mentioned that the success of community clinic in Bangladesh has gained worldwide recognition through the unanimous adoption of the resolution titled “Community-Based Primary Health Care: A Participatory and Inclusive Approach to Achieving Universal Health Coverage” on 16 May 2023 by the 193 member states of the United Nations.

From the University of Public Health its professors, public health experts, health professionals and students attended the seminar along with Bangladesh embassy officials.

Besides the Bangladesh ambassador, panelists also include Dr Nan Naing Naing Shein, director of Myanmar Ministry of Health, Dr Saktivel Selveraj, advisor of WHO in Myanmar, and Professor Dr Hla Hla Win, rector of the Public University of Yangon.

They discussed the roles of health staff in primary healthcare, the importance of strengthening primary healthcare through proper financing, and contributions of the University of Public Health in educating competent public health workers.