ZCZC
BSS-08
COMMUNITY-CLINIC-SERVICE
Community clinics bring boon for rural people, providing free medicines
DHAKA, Nov 10, 2018 (BSS) – Community clinics have turned into blessing for
rural people of the country as it provides medicines free of cost to reach
government sponsored health care services at the doorsteps of the people.
“Some 32 types of medicines are being provided at free of cost to the
people across the country under auspices of the community clinics which are
the brainchild of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina,” Health and Family Welfare
Minister Mohammed Nasim told BSS.
Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) regularly monitors the
community clinics so that the rural people can get the medical services
properly as the people are getting the basic healthcare services at the
village level, he said.
Community clinics now appeared as an example in the developing country’s of
the world, he added.
Officials familiar with the project said a total of 13,861 community
clinics are offering healthcare services, including giving suggestions on
health, family planning and nutrition along with distributing 32 kinds of
medicines free of cost across the country. The government has also a plan of
setting up 1029 more community clinics across the country.
About 62.57 crore patients have taken health services from the community
clinics since its journey in 2000. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina launched the
clinics by inaugurating the Dimadanga Community Clinic at Patgati union of
the Tungipara upazila in Gopalganj district on April 26 in 2000.
Healthcare Provider of Baraigram upazila sadar community clinic in Natore
Uzzal Kumar told BSS the poor people of the country are getting healthcare
services properly through the community clinics.
The number of patients has increased immensely as they get the medicines
free of cost, he said, adding that on an average 80 persons are being
provided medical services by his clinic.
Keya Sarker, a beneficiary of the Baraigram upazila sadar community
clinic, said all kinds of medical treatments are being provided by the clinic
and “we do not need to buy medicines as the clinic gives drugs free of cost”.
She added: “Now we do not have to go to town for treatment and medicines
which are cost-effective and time savings for us due to availability of
healthcare services in the community clinic”.
Community Clinic Project Director Dr Abul Hashem Khan said the quality of
health services in the country’s rural area has increased due to community
clinics. All are happy getting the medical services and medicines within the
reach of their hands, he added.
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