Riverine islands (Char) in Bangladesh, such as the charming Susua Char in Tangail, are places of stunning natural beauty�golden sunsets, winding rivers, and serene villages. These calm and simple settings offer a refreshing escape from the hustle of modern life. However, behind this lovely scene lies a different reality for the people who live there.
A research conducted by North South University sheds light on the true conditions of Susua. The findings reveal a life marked by isolation and hardship, where access to essential services like healthcare is considered a luxury rather than a necessity. Susua Island, home to about 1,000 families, is geographically isolated by the mighty Jamuna River. The island has no electricity, no clean drinking water, and only one clinic that provides limited care for basic health issues.
Human Concern USA (HC USA), a U.S.-based humanitarian organization, used insights from the research to address the challenges of Bangladesh's peripheral communities. Their findings revealed healthcare as the most urgent need, leading to the launch of an innovative "Clinic on Wheels" (CoW) initiative to fill critical healthcare gaps in remote rural areas. In partnership with the HMBD Foundation and Humaniti Foundation, the CoW program delivers essential medical care to peripheral communities.
As part of this initiative, on January 28, 2025, HC USA initiated a program to offer medical care in four villages of the remote char area of Bhuapur in Tangail. 300 people from the northern part of Char Shushua village were provided free medical services. People of all ages, from children to the elderly, attended the camp for treatment.
For the residents of Susua Island, reaching healthcare involves a long journey�first, a boat ride across the river, followed by a motorcycle ride through narrow, rough dirt paths. With such a lack of infrastructure, even obtaining routine medical care is a significant challenge. The only clinic serves over 4,800 people, offering only basic treatment for common ailments. As a result, health conditions worsen with nearly 79.4% of the women giving birth at home, often with devastating consequences, and malnutrition affects a large portion of the population as well.
This situation is not unique to Susua Island. Across Bangladesh, particularly in rural and island communities, healthcare remains out of reach for many. In Bangladesh, 5.26 doctors serve around 10,000 people, a significantly low ratio compared to its neighboring countries like India and the Maldives.
Bangladesh�s rural districts, including Tangail, Mymensingh, Jamalpur, Sherpur struggle to meet even the most basic healthcare needs. In these areas, hospitals are few and far between, and the few clinics that exist are ill-equipped to address serious health concerns. Many residents, due to the lack of access to medical facilities, turn to alternative medicine for treatment.
Each mobile clinic of the CoW program of HC USA is a self-contained unit staffed with two doctors, a nurse, a midwife, and medical assistants. Equipped with diagnostic tools and essential medicines, these mobile units travel to remote areas, offering free medical checkups, medication, and referrals. Monthly medical camps serve over 3,000 patients across Tangail and neighboring districts, providing vital healthcare to communities like Susua, where traditional access remains nearly impossible.
The impact of this initiative is far-reaching. Thisprogram delivers essential primary acute healthcare services at an exceptionally low cost of approximately $4 per person per visit, including medication. This figure is far below the World Health Organization's recommended benchmark of $44 per capita for basic health services in low-income countries, reflecting remarkable cost efficiency.
Additionally, the CoW program addresses chronic health issues that often go undiagnosed due to the lack of healthcare infrastructure. Conditions like hypertension and diabetes, which affect many older adults in these communities, can now be identified and managed. Regular outreach is also helping to improve vaccination rates, which are currently below the national average, offering hope for better immunity and a healthier future for children in these areas.
HC USA�s CEO, Masum Mahbub, encapsulates the vision behind this transformative initiative: �With the Clinic on Wheels, we are breaking down barriers to healthcare in some of Bangladesh�s most underserved regions. This project is a testament to our commitment to saving lives and empowering communities through sustainable, data-driven solutions.�
