Govt plans to integrate community clinic services: Special asst to health adviser
The issue of community clinics is sensitive, but there remains a duality regarding its services, he says
The government has observed that healthcare and family-related services at the local level often lack coordination and plans to integrate these services at community clinics to ensure families receive more streamlined and effective support, said Sayedur Rahman, special assistant (equivalent to state minister portfolio) to the health and family welfare adviser.
"The issue of community clinics is sensitive, but there remains a duality regarding its services," he said yesterday, responding to a question regarding the Local Government Reform Commission's proposal to dissolve community clinics, at a discussion organised at Bangladesh Medical University today (24 April), in observance of Physicians' Week 2025.
Sayedur further said families are provided service by three parties— health workers, family planning field workers, and the CHCPs (community health care providers).
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Noting that the CHCPs must distribute medicines, he said the government considers integrating the services of the three parties so that the same service is not repeated.
He also said that a licensing exam should be introduced for the Bangladesh Medical and Dental Council (BMDC) registration for MBBS degree holders.
"In addition, it is necessary to consider whether regular renewal exams can be arranged for licensed physicians to regain public confidence," he said.
He also called for concerted efforts to reduce discrimination in health services.
The event was chaired by the Health Sector Reform Commission President, National Professor Dr AK Azad Khan.
At the event, the organisers highlighted several key matters for reforms in the sector.
These include adopting the "Health Workers and Health Facilities Protection Ordinance," formulating a "Good Medical Practices Guideline", and enacting a policy to resolve complaints.
Others are the declaration of a new "National Health Policy" based on a specific strategic framework and operational framework with the aim of creating a modern and integrated health system, and strengthening the National Medicine Policy through appropriate changes, enhancements and revisions as well as initiatives for its implementation.
In addition, proper quality control, specific salary structures, supervision and evaluation systems were also stressed regarding the reforms in the private health sector
