Dhaka: The government has embarked on an ambitious initiative to construct or relocate over 500 new community clinics, aiming to deliver healthcare services directly to the rural population. This move, announced by Community Clinic Health Support Trust Managing Director Md. Akhtaruzzaman, was unveiled at a seminar titled “The Role of Media in Ensuring Primary Healthcare for Marginalized Communities through Community Clinics,” held at the BMRC conference room in Mohakhali.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the nationwide plan will see the construction of 516 new clinics in its first phase. Akhtaruzzaman emphasized that the project, financed by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), marks a significant healthcare reform in Bangladesh, extending services beyond the union level to ward-level populations. Approximately 70 percent of the country’s citizens currently receive primary healthcare through the existing network of community clinics.
Each clinic provides medicines for 22 common ailments, such as fever, cold, cough, digestive issues, and skin conditions. The integration of a referral system to appropriate hospitals has further enhanced the efficiency and accessibility of healthcare services across the nation.
Asif Mahmud, Director of Field Administration at the Trust, highlighted ongoing efforts to reconstruct and renovate vulnerable community clinics. The Trust aims to strengthen healthcare infrastructure, with plans to establish a training institute that meets international standards. A digital referral system will also be implemented to track patients’ treatment histories, ensuring timely and appropriate care.
Mahmud added that part of the long-term strategy is to increase the number of female healthcare workers. Currently, 54 percent of Community Health Care Providers (CHCPs) are women, with a goal to raise this to 80 percent or more. Female CHCPs will receive specialized training in midwifery to help achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) related to maternal and child health.
The seminar revealed that, on average, each community clinic serves 35 patients daily. Cumulatively, around 490,000 people receive services from these clinics every day, translating to an annual service recipient count of nearly 160 million. Presently, 14,467 community clinics are operational across the country, staffed by 13,923 CHCPs, and supported by Health Assistants and Family Planning Assistants two days a week. Each clinic’s management is overseen by a Community Group consisting of 13 to 17 members.