Community Clinics: a vital source of primary healthcare in Khulna

Some community clinics in Khulna

Kohinoor Begum came to the community clinic adjacent to her home to get treatment for various complications including constipation.

Her husband Munsur Dhali died long back, and ever since she has had to bear the responsibility of raising their children. In this task, she remains grateful to the treatment dispensed at the Durjoni Mohol Community Clinic of Rupsha upazila in Khulna district which is close to her home.

Otherwise she would have been compelled to go to the Khulna General Hospital, a 5-km journey that would involve crossing a river. Which is why Durjoni Mohol has become the principal, almost only source of primary healthcare for people in her neighborhood.

A total of 203 community clinics are being run currently in Khulna district. For this, the patients have demanded not only preliminary treatment at the clinic but also expansion of the services offered the community clinic by appointing one medical officer.

Sufia Begum told UNB that she often came to the clinic seeking treatment for eye problem, diabetes, waist pain and general physical weakness.

Another woman named Roshni Begum along with her daughter also came to the doctor at the clinic for treatment.

Assistant Health Inspector of Aichgati union Syed Mizanur Rahman said that the people can be cured if they are aware. According to him, most of the patients who visit the clinic, are women.  The standard of service could be enhanced further if physicians at medical officer- or assistant medical officer-level are appointed at the clinic.

Khulna Civil Surgeon Dr ASM Abdur Razzak informed that the Community Clinic is one of the 10 initiatives of Prime Minister Shekh Hasina.

Health Engineering Department (HED) Khulna Information Officer and Assistant Engineer (Civil) Shebok Mondol said at present there are about 209 community clinics in Khulna district, while construction work of 17 completely new model clinics continues. Of them, four have already been completed.

Besides, work is on for re-construction of 15 community clinics and repair works of 31 others are going on. Meanwhile, renovation work of 20 more have already been completed, he added.

Deputy Chief Information Officer of Khulna Regional office M Zaved Iqbal said that these 203 community clinics are providing health services to almost 8,000 people in Khulna every day, thus performing a vital public health function.