The Reality Check of Community Clinic in Bangladesh: A Case Study of Two Selected Villages of Naogaon District

Abstract

Abstract Community Clinic (CC) as a new horizon in ensuring primary healthcare in Bangladesh has been working astoundingly since its inception. Reportedly, some of the CCs are not working effectively that’s why the beneficiaries, the villagers, are seeking care from other professionals. To address the underlying reasons of ineffectiveness of the CC in the site was the key objective of this study. Lack of work in that particular context motivates to pursue this study. Due to the financial constraint, the sampling site, Naogaon district, was purposively selected. Then the randomly selected upazila, Raninagar, was undertaken. Applying multi-stage random sampling technique, primary data of 100 household of two villages, as per the secondary data, were collected. From the empirical investigation, it is addressed that the key determinants of demand for health care from the CC; the level of education and level of income; are not playing a robust role. Instead of those, the problem of comparative low use rate of the CC lies on the determinants of supply-side; the unavailability of the CHCP and the drugs, which ultimately strengthens the traditional outlook towards the CC by the villagers. Once the provision of drugs is ended, the CC becomes literally meaningless except few responsibilities conducted by the health workers. Along with the government’s strong commitment, some reforms; formation of Village Solidarity Group’ keeping educational institute at the centre; can transform the scenario drastically.