Ambassador Dr Md Monwar Hossain said “The Sheikh Hasina Initiative,” recognised by the United Nations, is a greatly effective approach to achieving universal health coverage.
He was speaking at a seminar titled “Community Based Healthcare: road to achieve universal health coverage” as the keynote speaker on Friday at the University of Public Health in Yangon. The seminar was jointly organised by the Bangladesh Embassy in Yangon and the University of Public Health, reads to a press release.
Ambassador Dr Hossain in his speech highlighted the significant progress that Bangladesh has made, under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, in improving the health status of its population through a pluralistic health system and community clinic initiatives.
He added that these efforts, coupled with improvements in the social determinants of health, have resulted in a notable progress in various health parameters, surpassing neighbouring countries and many other developing nations.
Ambassador further added that the community clinic approach has benefited the marginalised individuals in rural areas of Bangladesh taking care of the maternal and child health care, disease screening and tests, routine immunisation, sexual and reproductive health care, mental health support, and referrals to higher-level facilities when necessary.
While describing the pioneering community clinic concept, the ambassador shared that the initiative draws its inspiration from the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. She introduced the community clinic concept when she became the prime minister in 1996. The ambassador also recalled the Father of the Nation who first conceptualised the idea of bringing health to the doorsteps of the rural people.
Ambassador mentioned that the success of community clinics in Bangladesh has gained worldwide recognition through the unanimous adoption of the resolution titled “Community-Based Primary Health Care: A Participatory and Inclusive Approach to Achieving Universal Health Coverage” on May 16, 2023 by the 193 member states of the United Nations.
Rector, professors, public health experts, health professionals, students of the University of Public Health and embassy officials attended the seminar. The ambassador discussed the community clinic model of Bangladesh.
Besides the ambassador, panellists also include Dr Nan Naing Naing Shein, director, Ministry of Health, Myanmar, Dr Saktivel Selveraj, advisor of WHO Myanmar and Prof Dr Hla Hla Win, rector of the Public University of Yangon. They discussed the roles of the health staff in primary health care, importance of strengthening primary health care through health financing and contributions of the UPH in educating competent public health workers.
