Sirajganj:College students are set to play a new role as 'health volunteers' in Bangladesh's upazila health complexes, a move aimed at easing the challenges faced by rural patients and curbing the influence of brokers in public hospitals.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, State Minister for Health and Family Welfare Dr M A Muhit announced the initiative during a workshop on 'District Health Planning' at the Circuit House in Sirajganj. The plan involves engaging 10 local college students—five male and five female—from areas surrounding each upazila health complex. These students will volunteer one day a week and receive daily honorariums for their services, which include guiding patients through hospital processes from ticketing to accessing doctors and diagnostic labs.
Dr Muhit emphasized the importance of this initiative in fostering a sense of ownership among the volunteers and improving hospital navigation for patients. He also announced the start of a year-long family planning campaign on December 1, with field workers equipped with necessary supplies from the outset.
Sirajganj is also set to become a pioneer in various health initiatives, including the piloting of the 'e-Health Card' and an effort to become the country's first cataract-free district within two years. The minister urged local healthcare institutions to leverage existing resources to maintain clean hospitals, ensure a broker-free environment, and provide free access to at least 50 percent of medicines and diagnostic tests within three months.
A proposed 'District Health Forum' is expected to involve civil society, journalists, and service recipients to address public misunderstandings. Additionally, the National Institute of Preventive and Social Medicine (NIPSOM) will conduct research on local health issues.
Health Services Division Secretary Dr ANM Bazlur Rashid highlighted the potential for policy decisions to financially empower field-level officials and noted the recruitment of 5,000 new personnel by February to fill vacancies, aiming to establish Sirajganj as a model district.
Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) Director General Professor Dr Pravath Chandra Biswas reported improvements in healthcare personnel attendance, cleanliness, and the supply of vaccines and essential medicines nationwide. Efforts are underway to create public-friendly vigilance teams and complaint resolution cells in Sirajganj's upazilas as part of the model district initiative.
The workshop featured participation from various health and administrative officials, including Sirajganj Deputy Commissioner Md Aminul Islam and Civil Surgeon Dr Muhammad Nurul Amin.