Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday called upon people to make their united efforts so that the community clinics in rural areas can function properly and play role in development of health sector.

Terming the community clinics as unique example of the present government's stride to reach healthcare service to rural people, she said the flagship programme of the health sector has already turned into a unique example of providing health service to rural people particularly the women and children.

"The community clinic initiative is our homegrown programme which has been developed without any foreign consultancy. So, we have to protect the native system and ensure proper management of the clinics with the participation of local people," she said.

The Prime Minister said this at a function on the occasion of awarding seven best community clinics of the country and inaugurating the web-based health service and information management expansion programme at Osmani Memorial Hall here today.

Sheikh Hasina said, Bangladesh Awami League initiated for the community health clinics in its past stint, but, next BNP government closed those clinics after change of the government in 2001. "People of Bangladesh suffered colossally due to political inferiority complex of the previous BNP government," she said.

Now the clinics are being managed under joint participation of the government and the local people, who have donated land for construction of the clinics and are extending support to run those properly, she said.

PM's advisor on health, family welfare and social welfare affairs Prof. Syed Modasser Ali presided over the function. State Minister for health Dr Captain (retd) Mujibur Rahman Fakir, health secretary M M Niazuddin, WHO representative Dr Tushar Fernando and additional secretary Dr Makhduma Nargis spoke among others on the occasion.

The Prime Minister handed over crests and laptop to one best community clinic in each division and formally inaugurated Web-based Health Service and Information Management Expansion Programme in 64 districts through pressing computer button.

Sheikh Hasina said, a note of Bangabandhu in his diary put forth the conception of community clinics. Father of the Nation incorporated the health issue as one of the basic rights of people in the constitution after liberation and established a 10-bed hospitals in every union laying foundation of the health service in the country, she said adding the present government is making efforts for upholding Bangabandhu's spirit.

Ends/AMA/16/07/13