The multistakeholder meeting was held on 18th December (Sunday) at 9:30 am in 250 Sadar Hospital of Sunamganj for an exchange of views on improving the quality of service of 250 bed District Sadar Hospital. Health Service provider, Health Rights Forum’s members from District and Upazila, Health Right Youth Forum members representative and other representatives of different health service-provider and recent service receivers have participated in the meeting.
A unique example of public participation and accountability at the local level in health care service, where the service receiver raises their voice on the service delivery system of different layers of service center.
The multistakeholder meeting was held at the 250 bed Hospital conference room, Sunamganj. The meeting was jointly organized by Sunamganj District Health Rights Forum, Effort for Rural Advancement (ERA), and Bangladesh Health Watch. Mr. Didare Alam Mohammad Maksud Chowdhury, Deputy Commissioner, Sunamganj attended the program as a Chief Guest, Dr.Md Anisur Rahman Superintend ( Deputy Director) 250 bed Sadar Hospital, Dr. Mukdeb Saha Deputy Civil Surgeon Sunamganj and Md. Abu Sufian, former Deputy Commander of District freedom fighter Committee as special guests. Meeting chaired by Md. Shahjahan Chowdhury, president District Health Right Forum and also present Executive Director of ERA.
At the meeting, the superintendent of the 250 bed sadar hospital presented the whole picture of the health services of Sunamganj district. There is a good workforce shortage in 250 bed sadar hospitals, including depletion of general surgeons in the Upazila health complexes that hinder providing specialized services as per the need. Many patients visit District Sadar Hospital and approximately 1500-2000 patients are outdoors every day. Nearly 50% of the total workforce, including doctors, technologies and other staff were there.
Asma Akter, Field Programme Coordinator has given a brief discussion on Bangladesh Health Watch and what activities are and how Health Right Forums and Health Right Youth Forums are working for getting best service from service providers.
The discussants raised various challenges and limitations of health services in the Sunamganj 250 bed sadar hospital through an open discussion. There were some service recipients who were admitted in the hospital who raised their opinion about service and expectation. Some service providers (Medical doctor & senior staff nurse also raised their challenges during providing service and how to mitigate the situation.
During the open discussion Dr.Md Anisur Rahman Superintend ( Deputy Director) 250 bed Sadar has taken note all of question. After all discussion superintend answer the all questions described his limitations and challenges to providing the service. He said, “Though we have lots of gap and limitations we are trying to provide our best effort & service. If you face any difficulties for getting service, please call me, and request to Health Rights Forms for sharing any issue related to health service call me”
After very fruitful discussion District Health Right Forum president Md. Shahjahan Chowdhury expressed his feeling about Health Right Forum activities and his engagement and thanked Health Right Youth Forum for their participation and activities. He also gave thanks to the newly joined DC of Sunamganj, Superintendent of 250 bed Sadar Hospital for their participation and their initiative for achieving SDG. He requested all service providers to keep continuing their activities.
At the end of meeting, meeting president, Freedom fighter and Executive Director of ERA conclude the meeting with some recommendations;
After all the discussions, the president thanked all participants for their active participation, especially those who came from Upazila , ERA and Bangladesh Health Watch for arranging such a meeting
Citizen's Voice