Dear Sir,
The government has introduced community clinics to ensure primary healthcare for the poor and underprivileged people in rural areas, with the aim of bringing medical services closer to their doorsteps. However, the severe shortage of medicines in the community clinics of Bheramara upazila in Kushtia has raised serious questions about that very objective. At present, 18 community clinics across six unions of the upazila are facing an acute shortage of essential medicines. Until about a year ago, patients could receive 27 to 30 types of basic medicines free of cost for common illnesses. Now, most clinics have stocks of only two or three medicines.
In some places, the distribution of medicines has completely stopped, forcing patients to return home without treatment. The worst sufferers of this crisis are the poor people of rural areas. Many patients are being compelled to buy medicines from private pharmacies at a cost of 400 to 500 taka, which places a heavy financial burden on farmers and day labourers. At the same time, due to the lack of medicines, community clinic staff are facing anger and complaints from patients.
Healthcare is a fundamental human right. To ensure this right, it is urgent that the supply of medicines to community clinics be restored without delay.
Muhammad Shafayat Hussain
Student, Kushtia Government College, Kushtia
