By Biswajit Mandol and Chandona Ranin from Shyamnagar, Satkhira
Communities of coastal Shyamnagar have called for improved services at community clinics, particularly to ensure better healthcare for women, pregnant mothers and other vulnerable groups living in disaster-prone and remote areas.
“People in our coastal communities face repeated natural disasters, but accessing quality healthcare is also a major challenge. Community clinics often lack adequate medicines, diagnostic equipment and experienced healthcare providers. Since we live in remote areas, the quality of community clinic services should be improved,” said farmer Sujata Rani Mondal of Mathurapur village in Munshiganj Union.
She made the remarks at a dialogue and consultation meeting on “What Should Government Services Be Like? Community Access to Government Services”, held recently with local community support and organized by BARCIK. Sujata Rani Mondal, a woman member of the Munshiganj Union Green Coalition, chaired the meeting.
Assistant Health Inspector of Shyamnagar Upazila Health Complex Dr. Kudrat Elahi and CHCT Sandhya Rani attended as guests. BARCIK representatives Bishwajit Mondal, Maruf Hossain and Chandana Rani, along with local adolescents, farmers and community representatives also participated.
Health officials explained the services available through government health facilities, how people can access them, and the challenges faced in delivering services. They also listened to community members’ concerns.
Participants said that they had previously lacked sufficient information about available government health services, particularly those related to women’s health. They emphasized that access to public services is a basic right and called for better planning, greater accountability and clearer information to ensure people can access government services without discrimination or harassment.