On 5 September 2018, a ‘Views Exchange Session with Chougacha-Jhinadah Model Committee for Community Participation in Healthcare Services’ was held at the UHC, Chirirbandar, Dinajpur. The discussion was organized to involve local communities in program planning and execution to improve the health care system and to ensure improved health services for the community.
The discussion was jointly organized by Upazila Health and Family Planning of Chirirbandar Upazila, Coordination cell (DGHS) and ‘SHARE’ project of icddr,b. The chief guest of the event was Md. Saidul Karim Mintu, Honorable Mayor, Jhenaidah City Corporation. It was chaired by Dr. Azmal Huq, UHFPO, UHC, Chirirbandar, Dinajpur.
The event was graced by the following guests: Prof. Dr. Nasima Sultana, Additional Director General, DGHS; Dr. Iqbal Anwar, scientist and project director SHARE project of icddr,b. Alhaz Aftab Uddin Molla, Upazila Chairman, Upazila Parishad, Chirirbandar, Dinajpur; Mr. Golam Rabbani, UNO, Chirirbandar, Dianjpur; Md. Shafiqul Islam, Police Inspector (Investigation, in-charge), Chirirbandar, Dianjpur; Dr. Mowla Box Chowdhury, AD Coordination, DGHS; Dr. Md. Abdul Kuddus, Civil Surgeon, Dinajpur; Mr. S M Anisur Rahman Khoka, ex Municipal Chairman; Al Haj Ayubur Rahman Shah, Chairperson, Bangladesh Awami League, Chirirbandar; Mr. Ahsanul Huq Mukul, General Secretary, Bangladesh Awami League, Chirirbandar, Dinajpur; Md. Azim Uddin Golap, Organizing Secretary, Bangladesh Awami League, Chirirbandar, Dinajpur; Akhtara Begum, Principal (In-charge), Chirir Bandar Government College; Dr. Mahbubur Rashid, UHFPO, UHC, Monpura, Bhola; Dr. Md. Emdadul Huq, Consultant, CJ Model; Mr. Md. Emdadul Huq, Principal, Nanderai Darul Huda Kamil Madrasa.
The session started with a power point presentation of the UHC by Dr. Azmal Huq, UHFPO, UHC, Chirirbandar. He stressed on various initiatives taken by the Universal Health Coverage including cleanliness, gardening and beautification of the health complex on self-finance; health nutrition education from yard based gardening; various initiatives to increase normal delivery such as providing pregnancy cards, gift packets for newly mothers, provided supply of medicine and free ambulance service. The presenter also mentioned some more initiatives which are: increasing immunization rate; integrated management of hospital by transparent leadership and team work; providing all facilities to the patients despite the shortage of physicians; health care through telemedicine; recognition to the staff by giving crests; ‘Ma Shomabesh’ (convention of mothers) being held in different places on regular basis and observance of different special days (World Breast Feeding Day).
As a result of the above initiatives, the UHC succeeded in increasing the normal delivery and also achieved national award several times.
At the end of his session, he made following recommendations:
i. Three more medical officers in the UHC
ii. Increase the number of ambulance from one to two
The discussion session was followed by another presentation made by Dr. Emdadul Haque, Chief Consultant, CJ Model. He stated the major initiatives taken by UHC Chowgacha including making the health complex women-friendly, forming management committee by engaging local leaders and community representatives. It is also mentionable that MOHFW declared Chowgacha as a model hospital in 2008.
They engaged local poor students in different health activities wherein they worked as receptionists, front desk executives and security guards for which they are paid TK 13,00 to 14,00 per month. They got remarkable achievement in increasing normal delivery, immunization rate and number of outdoor patients. They also ensured security of doctors. Supply of different medical equipment were provided by community support.
After the presentation an open discussion was held where different recommendations for the Chirirbandar UHC were made:
i. Repair of the ambulance and increase the number of ambulance
ii. Increase the number of doctors
iii. Engage local leaders and influential people in the management committee to improve health system of Chirirbandar
iv. Take necessary initiatives for encouraging mass people to take midwife services from the UHC
v. Organize regular and monthly meeting
vi. Make the initiatives taken by the UHC sustainable
In his speech Md. Saidul Karim Mintu, Honorable Mayor, Jhenaidah City Corporation assures to give security and necessary support to doctors by involving community people. He also assures to provide support to the management committee. The mayor emphasized giving different training and higher education to the upazila level medical officers, and providing risk allowance for the doctors working in the risk-prone areas. He suggested the committee to be aware so that the medical representatives cannot influence the doctors negatively in prescribing medicine. He hoped that the other thirteen upazilas of Dinajpur will follow different initiatives taken by UHC of Chirirbandar.
In her speech the Chief Guest Prof. Nasima Sultana suggested forming a community supporting committee and to make the committee sustainable. She emphasized taking initiatives to prevent early marriage and decreasing maternal mortality rate. She drew attention of the UHC to set up a reception desk and make display of different health education and awareness messages in various corners of the UHC. Prof. Nasima informed the meeting that appointment of the two new doctors would take place soon.
The discussion was held in an interactive manner. The community people assured the UHC to work in a co-operative way to improve the activities of the health complex.