Door-to-door health check-ups, ‘Health Hub’ to be set up in unions: Health Minister

The government has taken the initiative to revamp the country’s grassroots health infrastructure to make healthcare more accessible to the marginalized population. According to the plan, a ‘Health Hub’ will be launched in every union and a ‘Health Wellbeing Center’ in every three wards. Through these initiatives, emphasis will be placed on disease prevention and early detection of diseases, along with providing primary healthcare to the doorsteps of the people.

Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md. Sakhawat Hossain gave this information after visiting the 400-bed Joypurhat General Hospital on Sunday (August 23) afternoon.

‘Health Hub’ in unions, ‘Health Hub’ in houses

The Health Minister said that healthcare and family planning services will be provided under the same umbrella in the union-level ‘Health Hub’. In addition to posting doctors in these centers, arrangements will be made to conduct primary health check-ups of local residents through health workers.

Health workers will go door to door to check people's blood pressure and diabetes. In addition, initiatives will be taken to detect breast and uterine cancer in women at an early stage. As a result, necessary treatment and advice will be provided before the disease progresses to a critical stage.

Upazila hospital beds are being increased

The Health Minister also announced plans to increase the medical capacity of upazila-level hospitals in the country. He said that the number of beds in upazila-level hospitals is being increased to 151. In addition, there is a plan to start dialysis services at the upazila level.

To expand dialysis services at the district level, he said that there is a plan to install 10 dialysis machines in each district hospital and 50 in each district headquarters hospital.

Initiatives to recruit teachers and start ICUs in medical colleges

Regarding the teacher shortage and ICU services in medical colleges, the minister said that in addition to recruiting teachers quickly, necessary training will be arranged. Through this, initiatives will be taken to start the currently closed ICUs. At the same time, there are plans to start the activities of new medical colleges.

He said that along with the improvement of healthcare infrastructure and quality, importance is also being given to the performance of duties by doctors and health workers. The Health Minister also warned that no negligence in the performance of duties will be tolerated.

Implementation target within two to three years

Sardar Md. Sakhawat Hossain said that the government has set a target to implement these healthcare expansion plans within the next two to three years. Through this, efforts will be made to further expand the scope of healthcare services from the union and upazila levels to the district level.

During the hospital inspection, Deputy Commissioner Al Mamun Mia, Civil Surgeon Dr. Al Mamun, Superintendent of Joypurhat 400-bed General Hospital Dr. Rashed Mubarak Jewel, along with senior officials and doctors of the local health department were present.