Barishal hospitals, drug companies pledge support for Manta people
Private hospitals, diagnostic centres, and pharmaceutical companies in Barishal have pledged free treatment and medicines, along with discounts on medical tests, for the marginalised Manta community living on waterways.
The commitments came at a discussion held at a hotel in Barishal on Thursday under the MantaConnect project, jointly implemented by YouthNet Global and The Asia Foundation, according to a press release.
Popular Diagnostic Centre also said it would consider employment opportunities for Manta youths aged 18 or above, based on their qualifications.
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The meeting discussed the community's way of life, barriers to accessing healthcare and ways to ensure affordable, accessible and sustainable health services.
The Manta community, whose lives are closely connected to rivers and wetlands, faces exclusion and discrimination in accessing education, healthcare, financial services and other civic facilities.
The MantaConnect project seeks to address these barriers by promoting digital education, healthcare access and financial inclusion.
Nasirul Alam of Refco Pharmaceuticals Ltd said the discussion had given him his first opportunity to learn about the community's experiences.
"I heard the life stories of the Manta people for the first time. I had never had the opportunity to learn about their realities in this way. We will take an initiative to provide free medicines to this community from our institution," he said.
Arif Memorial Hospital Director Dr Md Nazrul Islam welcomed the initiative and pledged support for Manta patients.
"I am very happy to attend this programme organised for the Manta community. If any member of the Manta community comes to our institution for treatment, we will try to provide them with the maximum possible discount," he said.
Popular Diagnostic Centre Assistant General Manager Md Mosharaf Hossain said the discussion had helped correct his earlier understanding of the community.
"Until now, I thought the Manta people belonged to the Bede community. After learning about them in detail today, my perception has changed," he said.
"If any Manta youth aged 18 or above comes to our institution seeking a job, we will try to provide an employment opportunity based on their qualifications," he added.
Mosharaf Hossain also pledged to arrange free treatment and work with other diagnostic centres in Barishal to secure the maximum possible discounts on medical tests for the community.
YouthNet Global General Secretary Arifur Rahman Shuvo stressed the need for sustained cooperation among public institutions, private service providers and development organisations.
"Ensuring healthcare for the Manta community is not the responsibility of any single project or organisation; it is our collective social responsibility," he said.
"Cooperation from the private sector, alongside government institutions, is extremely important to make healthcare accessible to the Manta community. Through today's discussion, we want not only commitments for some services, but also to build a long-term collaborative network to stand beside the Manta people," he added.
Heads and representatives of pharmaceutical companies, hospitals, diagnostic centres and private service organisations attended the meeting, including representatives of Rahat Anwar Hospital, LabAid and Medinovas.
Participants assured cooperation in providing free healthcare services and medicines, as well as discounts on medical tests, for members of the Manta community.
The organisers said MantaConnect would continue working with private-sector partners to expand healthcare access while supporting the community's broader social and economic inclusion.
