Urge coordination of local government and health department to ensure health care

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Coordination with local government is essential to ensure the quality of healthcare. Because these two important and sensitive institutions of the government work directly with the people. So they can complement each other if there is mutual coordination. Through this it will be possible to ensure accountability and gain public trust.

Speakers said this at the round table meeting titled ‘Coordination of local government to ensure health care in Barisal’. This meeting was organized by Prothom Alo and Democracy International at the auditorium of Hotel Grand Park on Band Road in the city today at 11:00 am.

Barisal City Corporation Administrator Bilquis Akhtar Jahan (Shirin), Barisal Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital Director Brigadier General AKM Moshiul Munir, Health Directorate Divisional Director Shyamal Krishna Mandal and Barisal Civil Surgeon SM Manzoor-e-Elahi were present as guests. Leaders of different political parties, representatives of civil society, media workers, doctors and other people from different levels participated in the dialogue.

In the dialogue, the speakers said that Bangladesh is one of the countries at the top of climate risk. Barisal division is one of the most vulnerable regions of the country. Communication system is still impassable in this section surrounded by rivers. Due to frequent storm surges and increased salinity, the area has become a hotspot for infectious diseases. In particular, the prevalence of various infectious diseases including dengue, diarrhea, measles and the risk of death are increasing alarmingly. Reproductive health of women is also threatened due to salinity. Compared to that, the medical system in this section is inadequate compared to other regions. Health care in the impoverished region is practically a shambles due to shortages of doctors, nurses, infrastructure and medical equipment and mismanagement. There is no alternative to the conscious and sincere role of public representatives in transitioning from this situation.

Barisal City Corporation Administrator Bilkis Akhtar Jahan said that the health sector is the largest service sector in the country, which involves the healthy, normal and safe life of crores of people. More discussion is needed on this sector. But if the people associated with the service are not united with their profession, then there will be a deficiency in the service. This mentality has its flaws, which cannot be denied. Service quality improvement is not possible without accountability.

Bilkis Akhter Jahan said that as a representative of the local government, he wants to work sincerely for the development of this sector and said that it is the responsibility of the doctors to ensure the overall welfare of the people, just as it is the responsibility of the doctors to ensure the medical care of the people. So mutual coordination is also part of his responsibility. He urged the concerned to come forward to report the problems.

Stating that there are many problems in Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital, the main government hospital of Barisal region, the Administrator of the City Corporation said that not only the doctors or the infrastructure are responsible for these problems, but the strong syndicate is a big obstacle. Whenever the administration wants to take action against these syndicates, they create hurdles. Despite this, he called for courage to speak against them.

Brigadier General AKM Moshiul Munir, director of Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital, said that after taking charge, he saw motorcycles moving inside the hospital, and even the lift of patients. The business was running by building a private ambulance stand. Besides, the entire system was held hostage by the violence of the syndicate. Many attempts were made to evacuate the ambulance stand but no cooperation was received.

AKM Moshiul Munir said that motorcycle movement has been stopped in front of the hospital, beautification has been done, main gate has been constructed and non-functioning AC of CCU has been started. Services are brought under automation. Radiotherapy machine will be installed soon. However, even though the MRI machine is useless for a long time, there is no response even with repeated letters. Due to shortage of manpower, many machines cannot be used.

2,752 patients are admitted in this 1,000-bed hospital on Thursday, Mashiul Munir said. It is difficult to ensure service to such a large number of patients with a limited budget.

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In the round table meeting, the Divisional Director of the Directorate of Health, Shyamal Krishna Mondal, said that people are not satisfied with the government healthcare, this is a reality. However, despite the increase in the number of patients, the manpower, infrastructure and equipment have not increased accordingly. So there is no benefit in placing the responsibility only on the health department. Public representatives should be more active in service development.

Civil surgeon SM Manzoor-e-Elahi said, “Our hospitals have one and a half to two times the capacity of patients. Our manpower and capacity are also limited. We are trying to provide service even in this adversity.

Barisal Sadar Hospital Resident Medical Officer Malai Krishna Mandal said, ‘The hospital’s sewage system is very fragile. We have repeatedly urged the concerned department for this but are not getting any response.

Stating that the private sector provides 65 percent of the country’s medical services, Nazrul Islam, general secretary of the Private Hospital and Clinic Owners Association, said in the meeting, “However, the private medical sector is a victim of neglect and neglect.” Having to work through criticism and negative situations. It upsets them. He demanded to ease the licensing of private hospitals.

Barisal District (South) BNP member secretary Abul Kalam Shaheen said, “We have to work hard to undo the history of deprivation that the fascist government has created in the last 17 years.”

Amir Mahmud Hossain, Naib of Nagar Jamaat, urged the City Corporation to take initiative to coordinate the public and private medical sector in the round table meeting.

Manisha Chakraborty, district coordinator of Bangladesh Samajtantrik Dal (BSD), said that the central health budget should be increased to at least 15 percent. The laws to ensure health care of workers in factories should be implemented.

Rafiqul Alam, city secretary of Sujan, said that clinical waste is being dumped everywhere in the open; Which is gradually increasing the health risk in the city. Modern management is urgently needed for this.

Sajjad Parvez, Assistant Attendant of the Department of Social Services, said, “We have a direct connection with the medical services. We are constantly providing this service through financial support especially to poor patients. Initiatives should be taken to increase it.