Allwell, Nuvista and BGMEA partner to improve worker health services

A groundbreaking digital hospital pilot project has been launched to ensure quality primary healthcare and mental health support for garment workers and their families.

To that end, the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), ICT-enabled healthcare platform Allwell BD Ltd and leading pharmaceutical company Nuvista Pharma PLC signed a tripartite memorandum of understanding (MoU) yesterday (Wednesday) at the BGMEA Complex in Uttara.

The MoU was signed by BGMEA Senior Vice-President Enamul Haque Khan; Allwell BD Ltd Chairman Mujahidul Haque Abul Hasanat; and Nuvista Pharma PLC Managing Director S M Rabbur Reza.

The signing ceremony, chaired by BGMEA Senior Vice-President Enamul Haque Khan, was attended by Science and Technology Secretary and former BGMEA administrator Md Anwar Hossain; BGMEA Vice-President Md Shihab Uddoza Chowdhury; Directors Shah Raied Chowdhury and Mohammad Abdur Rahim; Mirpur Health Care Centre Chairman Khandaker Mahidur Rahman Shaheen; Allwell CEO Farhad Ahmed; and senior officials of the three organisations.

Under the MoU:

• Allwell will provide the core ICT-enabled healthcare platform, ensuring 24/7 digital general practitioner consultations, follow-ups and secure electronic health record management.
• Nuvista Pharma will co-finance the project and establish a structured referral network, enabling easy access to essential gynaecological and reproductive health services for workers.
• Initially 5,000 workers will be covered under the pilot project, with plans to include an additional 5,000 workers after three months. Eventually, all factories will be brought under the programme.

BGMEA said the current board has introduced several initiatives to improve the health and welfare of garment owners and workers, the latest of which is this tripartite agreement. BGMEA Director Shah Raied Chowdhury has played a leading role in conceptualising and supervising the organisation's recent health-related initiatives.

Speaking at the event, Anwar Hossain praised the initiative, noting: "Healthy workers mean better productivity. I hope other sectors will follow this example set by BGMEA."

BGMEA Senior Vice-President Enamul Haque Khan said: "We are committed to innovative and effective healthcare for workers. Bringing digital healthcare inside factories can transform worker wellbeing. Through telemedicine centres, our women workers will be able to discuss personal health issues freely. We are optimistic that Allwell and Nuvista's support will help improve health systems across our member factories."

Nuvista Pharma PLC Managing Director S M Rabbur Reza said: "This tripartite initiative on nutrition and healthcare will play an effective role in ensuring worker wellbeing. It creates opportunities to provide essential health services to women workers."

Allwell BD Ltd Chairman and Co-Founder Mujahidul Haque Abul Hasanat said: "We are delighted to work with BGMEA to deliver fast, technology-driven healthcare within factory settings. Our objective is to ensure access to health services anytime, anywhere."

BGMEA Director Shah Raied Chowdhury delivered the welcome address.