Dhaka: State Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Co-operatives, Mir Shahe Alam, has announced a significant transition in the management of urban healthcare facilities. Following a directive from the Prime Minister, 192 Urban Primary Healthcare Centers nationwide are set to be transferred to the Health Services Division, marking a pivotal shift aimed at revitalizing these centers for better public service.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the centers, initially constructed under a project involving 12 city corporations and 23 municipalities, have often remained underutilized or inactive. Notably, Chattogram City Corporation houses the largest number of these centers at 41, followed by Dhaka South City Corporation with 30, Dhaka North City Corporation with 15, Khulna with 28, and Rajshahi with 17, with the remainder distributed across other locations.
The state minister expressed confidence that this handover would enhance urban primary healthcare services, particularly benefiting low- and middle-income groups, while alleviating the strain on major hospitals. He stressed the importance of stakeholder collaboration to ensure the initiative’s success and timely public benefit.
During the centers’ operational phase under the initial project, they provided essential healthcare to urban populations. However, post-project challenges, including manpower shortages and inadequate management, led to their underutilization. Alam highlighted the risk of infrastructure decay and emphasized the inefficiency of reconstructing similar facilities at significant public expense.
To address these issues, the Prime Minister sanctioned the initiative to maximize the existing infrastructure’s utility. Subsequent meetings with the Cabinet Division expedited instructions for relevant authorities, and official letters have been dispatched to facilitate the transition without bureaucratic delays.
The handover process involves city corporations and municipalities compiling inventories of the centers, which will then be transferred to respective Civil Surgeons. The Health Ministry will assume responsibility for all aspects of management, from operations and maintenance to recruitment, ensuring a seamless transition and improved healthcare delivery.