Healthcare Crisis in Rural Bangladesh
Barishab Union, located in Kapasia Upazila of Gazipur District, spans an area of approximately 39.85 square kilometers and is home to a population of 60,139 people. The closure of the Narottampur Community Clinic has created a healthcare vacuum affecting thousands of vulnerable residents.
The Impact of Clinic Closure
The Narottampur Community Clinic, established in 2000 on land donated by local social worker Abdul Kuddus, was a vital healthcare provider for the local population. It offered essential services including prenatal and postnatal care, vaccination programs, nutritional guidance, and general medical treatment.
Critical Situation: The clinic has remained closed for weeks, with doctors and health workers irregularly present or completely absent. Patients arriving for treatment find locked doors, forcing them to travel 11-13 kilometers to the Kapasia Upazila Health Complex.
This extended travel creates significant barriers to healthcare access due to transportation costs, lost time, and overcrowding at the distant facility. Local reports indicate that minor illnesses are worsening into severe conditions, with some deaths potentially linked to the clinic's prolonged closure.
Villages Affected
The clinic served an estimated 13,700 residents from nearby villages:
Gaora: 5,084
Bhera Chala: 549
Bori Chala: 1,468
Narottampur: 3,030
Chenga: 1,097
Chhoka Chala: 756
Pinguli: 1,708
Batna & Others
Official Complaint Filed
A formal complaint has been submitted via the government's Online Grievance Management System (GRS):
Tracking Number: 13014838330002
Submission Date: November 5, 2025
Reviewing Authorities: Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), Upazila Health and Family Planning Officer (UHFPO), and Civil Surgeon of Gazipur
Concerns About Private Interests
Adding to community concerns, private hospital and doctor advertisements are prominently displayed on the clinic premises, raising suspicions that government healthcare services are being neglected in favor of private providers. This practice violates regulations regarding the use of government facilities.
Recommended Solutions
- Digital Monitoring System: Implement online attendance and service records visible to the public
- Community Health Volunteers: Train local youth to assist with healthcare services
- Coordinated Oversight: Establish monitoring committees with local representatives
- Ban on Private Advertisements: Prohibit private ads on government clinic premises
- Dedicated Helpline: Create direct complaint channels for residents
Broader Implications
The situation at Narottampur Community Clinic reflects a national challenge, as thousands of community clinics across Bangladesh face similar issues of absentee staff, inadequate monitoring, and insufficient resources.
Primary healthcare is a constitutional right, not a luxury. When a clinic closes its doors, it is not merely a building that shuts down; it is access to life-saving healthcare that becomes unavailable to the most vulnerable members of society.
Take Action for Healthcare Rights
The government's commitment to "Health for All" can only be fulfilled when facilities like the Narottampur Community Clinic are fully functional, ensuring reliable and accessible healthcare for every resident.
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