Health ministry to take over 192 Urban Primary Healthcare Centres

State Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Co-operatives, Mir Shahe Alam, has said that, following the prime minister's visionary decision, the process has begun to hand over 192 Urban Primary Healthcare Centres across the country to the Health Services Division. 

"We hope that the move would bring many long-unused or partially functional health centres back into effective service for the public," he said while speaking to BSS at his Secretariat office today (6 May). 

The centres were constructed under a project in 12 city corporations and 23 municipalities nationwide under the authority of the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Co-operatives. 

The Chattogram City Corporation has the highest number of centres, 41, followed by Dhaka South City Corporation, 30, Dhaka North City Corporation, 15, Khulna, 28, and Rajshahi, 17, with the remaining centres spread across other city corporations and municipalities.

The state minister expressed optimism that the initiative would significantly improve urban primary healthcare services, especially benefiting low- and middle-income groups, while also easing pressure on major hospitals.

"We are closely monitoring the matter. If all stakeholders perform their duties sincerely, the benefits of this initiative will reach the public very soon," the state minister added.

During the project period, these facilities provided primary healthcare services to a large urban population.  However, after the project ended, many centres gradually became inactive or underutilised.

He noted that shortages of manpower, lack of management, and inadequate supervision had hindered proper operations in many cases. 

"As a result, important infrastructure built with public funds risked deterioration, depriving people of expected services," he said.

He emphasised that infrastructure left unused deteriorates quickly, and rebuilding similar facilities with large public expenditure is not reasonable.

Considering this reality, the prime minister approved the initiative to ensure optimal use of existing facilities for public benefit, he added.

Following the prime minister's approval, several meetings were held with the Cabinet Division, and necessary instructions were promptly issued to the relevant authorities, he informed. 

The issuance of official letters has effectively initiated the handover process without complex formalities to ensure swift implementation, he said.

Regarding the process, he said the city corporations and municipalities will prepare a complete inventory of the centres, which will then be formally handed over to the respective civil surgeons.

This will enable the health ministry to take over operations smoothly, he opined.

After the handover, he said the Health Services Division will be responsible for overall management, including maintenance, operations, repairs, and recruitment of necessary personnel.