An online Orientation and planning meeting was held on 17 June 2021 in the presence of the members of the newly formed District Health Rights Forum, Sunamganj. Shashanka Baran Roy, Co-Ordinator, Field Operations of Bangladesh Health Watch conducted the orientation and planning meeting under the Chair of Dr. Md.

Abdun Noor, former Civil Surgeon and honorable President of the District Health Rights Forum. He welcomed all participants in the orientation. The District Health Rights Forum, inspired by Bangladesh Health Watch, is working with the government and other stakeholders as a civic platform to act as a citizens’ platform to hold the government and other actors accountable for their major health sector commitments.

Discussed the goals, objectives, strategies and scope of work of the District Health Rights Forum in the Orientation and planning meeting. It has been decided to work with General Hospital of Sunamganj district, Bishwambarpur Upazila Health Complex and Community Clinics in Lakshanchhari Union.

A plan has been developed till June-December 2021 to create awareness on rights and entitlements regarding health service, building close relationship among service providers and service recipients, collect the feedback on health services from common people including women, girls and marginalized communities through awareness meetings, campaign, survey and other advocacy initiative to enhance quality, transparency and quality of health care at district, upazila and union level health services.

Including ten members of District Health Rights Forum, Sunamganj, General Secretary of the District Health Rights Forum, Sirajul Islam, Executive Director of Era; Rajesh Adhikary, Program Officer-Networking and Liaison, Bangladesh Health Watch; Sanchita Chowdhury, Imdadul Haque, Journalist Manab Talukder were presented the orientation.