Community clinic workers unpaid for 8 months, salaries likely in March
Most CHCPs expected to have 3 months’ salary before Eid
Morshed has exhausted every possible source for a loan, but no one is willing to help. After eight months without pay, even his closest relatives hesitate to assist him.
"Nothing's more humiliating than this," says Morshed, a community health care provider (CHCP) at Kalir Bazar Community Clinic, Khansama, Dinajpur.
This is the stark reality for nearly 14,000 CHCPs across the country. Tasked with delivering primary healthcare at a salary of Tk16,700 per month, they have gone unpaid for months.
Besides, many clinics face severe medicine shortages, leading to a decline in patient turnout.
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However, Dr AM Zakir Hussain, chairman of the Community Clinic Health Support Trust, has held out the assurance that steps are being taken to release salaries.
"The CHCPs are expected to receive payments for the first three months of 2024 before Eid," he said.
He explained that CHCPs receive their salaries under the Operational Plan of the Health, Nutrition and Population Sector Programme (HNPSP). With the 4th HNPSP coming to an end in June 2024, the 5th HNPSP is yet to be launched, resulting in delays in both salaries and medicine procurement.
The 5th HNPSP is expected to run for two years while the government is planning an exit strategy from the programme.
"The government is shifting CHCP salaries to the national revenue budget and Tk177 crore is currently being processed to cover salaries from January to June 2024," said Dr Zakir.
"We expect the payment process to begin by mid-March, easing the crisis," he added.
Dr Zakir Hussain further mentioned that over 13,000 CHCPs recruited before 2018 will receive three months' salary (January–March 2025) in one installment, while salaries from July to December 2024 will be disbursed once the operational plan is approved, which may take another two months.
"For the 2025–26 fiscal year, Tk388 crore is being arranged under the revenue budget to ensure timely salary payments," said Dr Hussain.
Medicine shortage at clinics
Community clinics across the country offer 21 essential medicines, including those for diabetes, hypertension, fever and deworming, as well as iron and folic acid supplements along with two types of family planning materials, all free of charge.
On average, each clinic receives Tk1.5 lakh worth of medicines annually.
Currently, medicine procurement for community clinics falls under the Operational Plan. The last batch of supplies was delivered in October 2024, typically lasting four to five months.
However, some clinics are already experiencing shortages, raising concerns about patient care. At Kalir Bazar Community Clinic, the remaining stock is expected to run out next month. Without a new supply, services will be disrupted.
Dr Zakir Hussain acknowledged reports of medicine shortages but assured that procurement will continue under the Operational Plan.
"The Health Ministry has instructed line directors to include essential activities in the 5th HNPSP Exit Plan for implementation between July 2024 and June 2026," he stated.
The Operational Plan is currently under review and must be approved by both the Health Ministry and the Planning Commission, a process expected to take another two months.
"Only after approval will new medicines be purchased," he mentioned.
