Rural Health Centres

The higher rate of doctors' absence has also been blamed as the primary cause for the failure of these government health clinics, meant for the people in the rural areas. It is further alleged that performance of these clinics compared to those run by the NGOs or private sector is not only unacceptable but also examples of gross negligence by all concerned. We surely do not require the expertise/service of an eminent person like that of the Chief Economist of the World Bank to point this out before we wake up to take corrective measures! Anyone visiting our villages will be able to observe the aforesaid position and must wonder as to the justification of keeping these clinics, presently doing absolutely no good in most cases to the cause for which these were created.

The proposed action plan by the health minister as indicated in the aforementioned BBC Bangla programme is the only way out of this mess. Steps as contemplated must therefore be taken to reactivate the Rural Clinics under NGOs or private sector without further loss of time to render the desired essential services for the basic medicare needs of our rural people.