Volume 18, December 2024

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Volume 18, December 2024
ISSN: 1562-269X

Volume 18, December 2024

Current Issue

Quality of healthcare in Rural Bangladesh: An Analysis in the Context of Community Clinics

  • Md. Faruk Shah and Fahmida Sultana
  • Authors Email: faruk@du.ac.bd
  • Date of submission: 24-11-2023
  • Date of Acceptance: 19-02-2024

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Volume 18, December 2024
DOI: https://www.doi.org/10.59146/SSP.v18i1.7532

  • Page No : 19-38

Abstract

Primary healthcare is the cornerstone of any country's healthcare system. There are approximately 13,500 community clinics providing primary healthcare throughout the country. These clinics’ primary goals are to provide primary care and health education to marginalized and disadvantageous populations. A partnership between local communities and the government facilitates the operation of these clinics, but the quality of service remains an issue of debate. In this context, the purpose of this article is to analyse the nature of healthcare and the service quality offered by the community clinics. The study is predominantly qualitative in nature and relies on both primary and secondary sources of data. Narrative interviews, KII and FGDs have been applied to collect data at the field level. The results indicate that community clinics play a positive role at the community level by providing health services. However, regarding the level of service quality and the client's satisfaction, there are differing opinions. While community clinics are accessible to all, irrespective of race, religion and caste, the quality of care rendered is contingent upon social and cultural capital. Despite the supply of medicine falling short of demand, healthcare providers try to apply diverse strategies to manage and distribute it. Besides, the clinic care system has been localized, with providers relying broadly on local health customs and beliefs in diagnosing and providing treatment. In this case, the clinic's structure and service delivery process essentially determine the quality of health services, applying the Donabedian model. Hence, in order to improve quality and instill confidence in both service providers and recipients, it is imperative to augment medical equipment and management. This article provides policymakers with information about community clinics and expands the body of public health literature.

Keywords:

Quality of care, Helath care services, Community clinics, rural Bangladesh

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