Stronger media, NGO alliance needed for better healthcare

More collaboration between the media and health-related NGOs can improve the country's healthcare status, particularly of women and children, said journalists and health experts yesterday.

They said while the media can portray achievements in the healthcare sector, it can also criticise activities that require improvement.
The observations came at a media dialogue on "Journalism in Essential Healthcare Services" organised by NGO Health Service Delivery Project (NHSDP) of USAID-DFID at The Daily Star Centre.

NHSDP is a five-year US$83 million programme that provides essential healthcare services through its Surjer Hasi [Smiling Sun] network of 26 local NGOs, 392 static clinics, 10,186 satellite clinics and 7,348 community providers across Bangladesh.
The clinics provide services, including family planning and mental, neonatal and child health services, integrated into a package of basic healthcare, said Dr Halida Hanum Akter, chief of party of NHSDP.

Some 24 million poor people are provided essential healthcare through the project, she said.

She explained how campaigns to educate people about simple measures like visiting clinics for regular check-ups by pregnant mothers and giving birth under the supervision of skilled medical staff can save lives.

"The media must play an influential role in promoting essential healthcare services available to all Bangladeshis, especially in underserved communities," said Matiur Rahman Chowdhury, editor of the Daily Manab Zamin, while chairing the dialogue.
Journalists at the event said they needed capacity building on health issues, while the NGO officials need to be skilled in communicating with the media.