Bangladesh’s community clinic-based health system

Wars and conflicts are increasing worldwide. But Bangladesh is better than other countries, it must be admitted. In terms of infrastructure, Bangabandhu’s golden Bangladesh has progressed quite a bit overall. The country has been at ease for the past decade and a half under the hands of the current Prime Minister, sheikh Hasina Wazed. Living in a competitive world, the country has achieved a lot in various fields.

In today’s highly competitive world of ‘complex equations’ spreading ‘light’ in various fields is undoubtedly a matter of great pride and ecstasy. The recent scene of Prime Minister sheikh Hasina gifting the World Bank with a painting of the Bengali dream of the Padma Bbridge proves that the ‘Bangla Township Light’ has spread to every corner of the world. “Golden harvest” has come to our house in various cases!

The world saw a ‘new surprise’ as soon as the news about this came to an end! recently, for the first time in the United Nations, a resolution on community-based health care was unanimously adopted. The historic resolution titled ‘Community-Based Primary Health Care: a Participatory and Inclusive approach to achieving Universal Health services’ brought international recognition to Prime Minister sheikh Hasina’s outstanding innovative leadership in establishing a community clinic-based model of primary health care in Bangladesh through public-private partnership. This achievement is very unique. In the said resolution, the UN member states referred to Prime Minister sheikh Hasina’s successful innovative initiative in establishing community clinics as ‘The sheikh Hasina Initiative’. Needless to say, this recognition successfully reflects Bangladesh’s strong commitment to improving public health care and establishing equity in global health care.

Notably, the adoption of this resolution is an unforgettable milestone in the global effort to achieve universal health care by 2030. successful implementation of the resolution will play an important role in improving the health care of billions of people around the world by introducing community clinic-based health systems. This recognition of universal health services and the United Nations Development Goals will also have far-reaching implications for international cooperation.

It should be remembered that Prime Minister sheikh Hasina launched this unique community clinic-based health system in Bangladesh in 1998 with the aim of bringing all the people of Bangladesh under primary health care. This project has brought a revolution by bringing the benefits of government primary healthcare to the doorsteps of people at the grassroot level across the country. The Prime Minister’s response to this initiative from the very beginning was widely appreciated by all sections of the people. World recognition was waiting. In the end, the United Nations itself received praise. How proud this achievement is for the country - only a patriotic Bengali can understand. It has to be said, this recognition in the indomitable development progress of Bangladesh under the leadership of Prime Minister sheikh Hasina will brighten the country’s image in the international arena in the coming days.

It should be noted that currently community clinics have made a silent revolution in the health care of the country, especially in the treatment of marginalized groups. It has changed the overall picture of rural healthcare. There has been a positive improvement in the health care of the country in the past. a recent evaluation report by the World Bank also provides evidence.

Child mortality in Bangladesh has decreased by 29 percent. The birth rate has come down to 2.3. The breastfeeding rate has increased to 55 percent. The number of children receiving care from skilled health workers in the womb is now 64 percent; The rate of low-birth-weight babies has dropped to 33 percent. The rate of taking care of trained health workers during delivery is 42 percent, the preva- to dance to the music of the boots knowing well that their grotesque jig can’t last long. In other words, in their myopic vested interests, the incumbents always try to pander to the whims of the security establishment at the cost of democracy, civil liberty and human rights. The powerful use them and afterwards come up with another political party and the same pattern repeats itself without a scintilla of change. an elementary student of Pakistan’s history will second this.

This original sin to cede political space to undemocratic forces began no later than the demise of the founder. If Chief Justice Munir achieved infamy for causing irreparable damage to not only the institution of democratic government in Pakistan but also the judiciary itself, there is much literature showing that political venom was also spewed unendingly. Needless to state that PPP founder Zulfikar ali Bhutto had no qualms in shaking hands with the army to shatter not only a simple democratic process but the very country itself.

Even after the departure of the Pakistani Hitler, with President Gen Zia Ul Haq, whose policies still haunt us, no lesson was learned. subsequent years witnessed the stupidity of our political elites who had been used by the establishment against each other. Despite all the damage and disasters, finally, the Charter of Democracy in 2006, gave birth to the Eighteenth amendment and other productive things because of a democratic process. Parliament became a significant place for the political future of the country.

With the arrival of Imran khan, this progress came under the wheel. With the help of the army, like others, he rose like a phoenix from the ashes and in the end the so-called hybrid regime reached full fruition in 2018. He did everything to malign politicians from all political parties except those who had joined the PTI after getting blessings from the army. surprisingly the then IsPr came to Imran khan’s rescue when the PTI-led government showed profound incompetence in its early months. Much more like other politicians in Pakistan such as Nawaz sharif, Imran khan mustered the courage to have his way in the appointment of the Chief of army staff, which was unacceptable to the institution. Predictably Imran khan was sacked via a democratic process under the duress of the spatial Creatures (the so-called khalai makhlooq). The Captain cried foul for a couple of months changing his narrative from time to time, but after wasting much of this time, he started accusing the establishment.

Today, it appears that Imran khan has parted ways with the army in a way no leader has done before. Unlike his predecessors, he openly names not only the retired officers but the serving chief and others. He calls intelligence officers names such as Dirty Harry, madman, psychopath, and murderer. although Imran khan doesn’t have any principle except a burning ambition to get back to power, he has assaulted those who come between him and the premiership.

Now, the army has no options. If Imran khan was eliminated, the armed forces would get a lion’s share of the blame; all the problems of Pakistan would be put on their shoulders and the credibility of the institution would fracture. If the man of crisis resumes power, he will treat the army much more like Turkish President recep Tayyip Erdoğan did. Worse so, there are patent divisions within the rmy regarding the treatment of the PTI or Imran khan. almost 8000 PTI workers including women have been put behind bars, a media blackout is in place, and no hope of relaxation is in sight. In the meantime, the economy is in a tailspin, institutions are divided, and political polarization finds no bounds, yet no one seems to care about the future of this hapless country. Everyone cries for the burning of the Jinnah House, but there is complete silence as Pakistan is burning in hell. The only way forward for Pakistan is in the constitution and rule of law. all institutions should function within their constitutional boundaries otherwise the power struggle can denude the country of decency and functionality.

The writer is a freelance columnist

Editor’s mail

Stop counting

lence of contraceptive use is 62 percent and the prevalence of measles vaccination is 86 percent. Uptake of all basic vaccines by 23 months is now 84 percent. as the average life expectancy of people in the country has increased with these advances, there has been a massive improvement in the quality of life at the same time. after independence, there were several obstacles in the health sector of the country. The healthcare sector in today’s Bangladesh has come a long way. Bangladesh has surpassed India, Pakistan, Nepal and many other countries in healthcare. In this regard, community clinics are playing a major role in improving overall health care in the country—this claim has to be acknowledged.

‘Community Clinic’ is undoubtedly a big achievement for Bangladesh. This service will likely spread to every corner of the world under the supervision of the United Nations. and indeed, that would be a greater achievement for us. This ‘innovative model’ of Prime Minister sheikh Hasina is likely to spread light globally and take the global health system further.

The writer is a freelance columnist

THIs is with reference to the report ‘sindhi intelligentsia demands halt to enumeration process’ (May 2) according to which sindhi intellectuals from all walks of life have asked the federal government to halt the digital census that is being carried out these days.

The concerns voiced by intellectuals and nationalist politicians appear to be genuine. First, the census is supposed to be conducted with a gap of 10 years, and there is no logical reason to hold it three years ahead of time. second, the decision to do away with the requirement of showing the CNIC, which also mentions the place of birth of the holder, has never been explained. Third, illegal immigrants from Bangladesh, Myanmar, afghanistan and other countries are being enumerated when initially they have to apply for acquiring nationality. Why? The ruling party in sindh has a history of running with the hare and hunting with the hound. It needs the feudals in its pocket because they are the ones who would help the party in the next elections whenever they are held.

DR MEHTAB ALI SHAH JAMSHORO

A wise gesture

PakIsTaN has had a tumultuous history with its religious minorities, with several instances of discrimination and persecution being reported regularly. However, a recent development has given hope for a brighter future, as the National Curriculum Council (NCC) has issued no-objection certificates (NOCs) for publishing religious books for students of various minority groups enrolled in educational institutions that are supervised by the federal government.

This is a major development in Pakistan’s history, as it marks a significant step towards inclusivity and tolerance for all religious communities. The move will enable minority students to have access to books that are aligned with their religious beliefs, and help foster a sense of belonging and respect for diversity. Pakistan has a diverse population, with a majority of Muslims, and significant presence of Hindus, Christians, sikhs and other minorities. However, these minority communities have often faced discrimination and marginalisation in various aspects of their lives, including education. The move by the NCC is a positive step towards addressing these issues and promoting equality for all.

The issuance of NOCs for publishing religious books for minority students is in line with the Constitution, which guarantees freedom of religion to all its citizens. However, the implementation of this provision has often been lacking, with minority communities facing barriers in accessing education and other opportunities. The NCC’s decision is a positive move towards ensuring that all students have access to education that is inclusive and respectful of their religious beliefs. This will help minority students feel more accepted and valued in the education system, and promote a culture of tolerance and respect for diversity.

It is also important to note that this development comes at a time when Pakistan is facing significant challenges in terms of religious extremism and intolerance. In recent years, there have been instances of violence and discrimination against religious minorities, which have been widely condemned by the international community. The NCC’s decision is a clear message that Pakistan is committed to promoting inclusivity and diversity, and that it recognises the importance of respecting the rights of all its citizens, regardless of their religion. It is hoped that this move will help create a more harmonious and tolerant society where all individuals feel respected and valued. The NCC’s decision to issue NOCs for publishing religious books for minority students is a major development in Pakistan’s history, and a positive step towards promoting inclusivity and tolerance for all religious communities. It is hoped that this move will be followed by further initiatives aimed at promoting equality and respect for diversity in the country and all segments of society.

IT is deeply troubling to see the lengths to which Israel and its hardline supporters will go to snuff out any recognition of Palestinian humanity. In their “acceptable narrative” of events, both historical and current, only Israelis are vulnerable or victims; only they experience fear and the pain of loss; and only they have rights that must be acknowledged by all. Critics who question this “acceptable narrative” are silenced and/or demonized. and when Israel is the culprit that has victimized or violated the rights of Palestinians, their approach has been to “deny, lie, and obfuscate” what actually occurred: “The incident didn’t happen.” “If it did happen, we weren’t responsible. “Maybe it did happen, maybe it didn’t, but we didn’t do it and blaming us is a ‘blood libel.’”

This has been Israel’s modus operandi from the beginning, the classic example being its role in the nightmarish events that resulted in the Nakba, the planned and forced expulsion of Palestinians from their homes in 1948.

The first thing to know about the Nakba is that it did happen. There are contemporaneous eyewitness accounts from Palestinian victims. and Israeli military and political archives contain detailed reports by those who designed and executed the plan, as Yigal allon (who later served as Israel’s Foreign Minister) noted, “to clean the upper Galilee and create territorial Jewish continuity.”

To accomplish this goal, the archives show how Israeli forces used a combination of forced expulsions and the killings of civilians to terrorize others into leaving. In the end, 700,000 Palestinians were uprooted. Israel’s first prime minister, David Ben-Gurion, celebrated the expulsions referring to the outcome as a “double miracle”— a state that was larger and more Jewish. Chaim Weizmann, Israel’s first president, similarly praised the result of the Nakba as a “miraculous cleaning of the land.”

While Israelis were celebrating their state having been “cleansed” of most of its arabs, they also confronted the challenge of cleaning up the story of what actually happened. The testimonies of Palestinian victims were ignored and the investigations by the red Cross and other international agencies who had been operating in Palestine were dismissed as biased and anti-Jewish.

The Israelis denied that any massacres had happened