An Orientation and planning meeting was held on 13 June 2021 in the presence of the members of the newly formed District Health Rights Forum, Kurigram. The meeting was presided over by Dr. Md. Aminul Islam, former Civil Surgeon and President of the District Health Rights Forum, Kurigram. Shashank Baran Roy, Co-Ordinator, Field Operations of Bangladesh Health Watch conducted the orientation and planning meeting. Vice President of District Health Right Forum Mr. Sawpon Kumar Vakat and General secretary of the forum and Executive Director of SOLIDARITY S. M. Harun Or Rashid Lal welcomed the participants in the meeting.

The District Health Rights Forum, inspired by Bangladesh Health Watch, is working with the government and other stakeholders 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 Kurigram District, Ulipur Upazila Health Complex and Community Clinics in Hatia 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 all members of District Health Rights Forum, Kurigram, General Secretary of the District Health Rights Forum S. M. Harun Or Rashid Lal, Executive Director of SOLIDARITY, Sawpon Kumar Vakat, Mr. Rostom Ali Tota, Ms. Urmila Chokrobarty were participated in the orientation and planning meeting.