RAJSHAHI, Nov 10, 2020 (BSS)- Integrated efforts of all government and non-government entities concerned has become crucial to improve maternal, neonatal and child health services in grassroots level.

Time has come to develop the existing services related to maternal, neonatal and child health in the union health and family welfare centre, union sub centre and upazila health complex through utilising the existing resources coupled with mitigating emerging gaps and barriers.

The views were expressed by some experts at an open forum dialogue for improving maternal neonatal and child health services at Bagmara Upazila of Rajshahi district held at its conference hall on Monday.

DASCOH Foundation and Swiss Red Cross jointly hosted the dialogue on behalf of their ‘Public Health Improvement Initiative Rajshahi (PHIIR)’ Project.

Some 41 people comprising government and non-government officials’ concerned, public representatives, PHIIR project people and other stakeholders joined the meeting discussing and devising ways and means on how to attain the cherished goal in this field.

Upazila Chairman Anil Kumar Sarker addressed the meeting as chief guest with Upazila Nirbahi Officer Sharif Ahmed in the chair, while Chief Executive Officer of DASCOH Foundation Akramul Haque welcomed the participants.

Upazila Health and Family Planning Officer Dr Golum Rabbani, Upazila Family Planning Officer Abu Masud Khan, Health Manager of Swiss Red Cross Dr Dhiman Dutt and PHIIR Project Manager Tozammel Haque addressed the meeting as resource persons sharing their expertise on the issue.

During his concept paper presentation, Documentation and Advocacy officer Shohel Rana gave an overview of the existing healthcare services of the upazila and union level service delivery institutions, while Capacity Building Manager Israt Jahan moderated the discussion.

In his remarks, Anil Kumar said the effective and excellent dynamism into the essential service delivery activities of union health and family welfare center and union sub center is very important for ensuring healthcare services to marginal communities.

Sharif Ahmed mentioned that concerted efforts of government and public entities along with NGOs can greatly enhance effective maternal neonatal and child health services in grassroots.

The meeting was told that the project is intended to improve health standard at primary health care and mother, neonatal and child health centre that will supplement the government efforts of attaining the target of the seventh five-year plan and SDG.