With a slogan, “We want equality, accountability and participation in improving the quality of health services’’ Manikganj District Health Rights Forum comprising of distinguished civil society activists of Manikganj was formed on 30 September 2021 at Manikganj Zila Krira Sangstha auditorium.

The meeting was chaired by The President of BMA Manikganj and former Civil Surgeon Dr. Pankaj Kumar Majumder. Mr. Shaikh Masudul Alam, Chief Coordinator, Bangladesh Health Watch and Mr. Shashanka Baran Roy, Co-ordinator (Field Operations) of BHW attended the meeting.

A 13-member Manikganj District Health Rights Forum was formed comprising one-third women members in the opinion of the members present Dr. Pankaj Kumar Majumder was elected as President and Advocate Dipak Kumar Ghosh and Ms Laxmi Chatterji Rabindranath were elected as Vice President of the forum. Mr. Bimal Roy was elected Secretary on behalf of Host organization. Later, Shashanka Baran Roy facilitated a orientation session.

Dr. Pankaj Kumar Majumder said that the health policy of Bangladesh is very weak. It is not possible to improve quality health services to all with this health policy only. Moreover, climate and environment issues, roads safety, healthy housing are all related to the health sector.

Sheikh Masudul Alam said that health institutions and health care providers are not the opponents of the citizens. They both have significant limitations. If all realise the expectations and limitations and cooperate each other the problem can be solved.