The President Md. Shahabuddin urged all the political parties of the country to give importance to public interest in accepting and implementing political programs.
He said that the main aim and purpose of politics is public welfare. Public interest should prevail in all decisions taken by governments and politicians.
The Head of State said these things while addressing a program organized on the occasion of the 24th anniversary of the establishment of the Community Clinic at the Osmany Memorial Auditorium in the capital on Tuesday (April 30) afternoon.
He requested to avoid such programs as the development and progress of the country is hindered and the suffering of the people increases.
The President also urged everyone to work together to implement all the measures taken to ensure the economic and social security of the people. He said, regardless of party affiliation, work together to make all government initiatives successful.
President Shahabuddin emphasized on extending a hand of cooperation to everyone in the sustainable progress of the community clinic as a public welfare institution of the country.
Appreciating the overall activities of the entrepreneurs of the community clinic, the President said that Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman worked for the freedom of Bengalis all his life and following the path shown by Bangabandhu, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina took various programs of the community clinic to advance the country.
Mentioning that public interest should be given priority in every aspect of the government's activities, the President said that besides food, clothing, shelter and education, multifaceted programs are taken and implemented to bring medical services to the doorsteps of the people to improve public health.
He said that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina started the first community clinic at Gimadanga in Gopalganj on April 26, 2000 to ensure health care for the marginalized people of the country. Community clinic activities are now recognized as a 'unique model' of healthcare across the world.
The President said, but after the change of power in the 2001 elections, the then government's vindictive anti-public interest decision stopped this well-loved health service initiative for marginalized people.
He said today community clinics have become a place of trust for people in terms of medical services for marginalized people, especially women and children. The utility and reputation of the community clinic spread beyond the village-town to the national level and even the global sphere.
He said that in order to realize the dream of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman to build Sonar Bangla and to fulfill the basic needs of the people, a total of ten special initiatives including community clinic activities, shelter, electricity for all, Amar Bari Amar Khamar, social security programs were taken.
He pointed out that these ten special initiatives taken by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to build a happy and prosperous nation free from hunger and poverty are already playing a major role in improving the quality of life of the people.
The Head of State said that the United Nations has recognized 'Community Clinic' as 'The Sheikh Hasina Initiative'. This is an important international recognition of our government's innovative leadership in primary health care in public-private partnership.
He said that currently 14 thousand 173 community clinics are working as a model of public partnership. It is a unique example of government-people partnership. The contribution of community clinics in providing health education at the grass root level and creating public awareness to prevent the epidemic during the Corona period and implementing mass vaccination programs is undoubtedly worthy of appreciation.
He further said that Bangladesh has won many prestigious international awards like MDG Award, South-South Award, GAVI Award and Vaccine Hero Award in recognition of our success in the health sector.
This achievement of the Prime Minister has brightened the image of Bangladesh in the world and made us proud.
The President expressed hope that the Prime Minister's unique initiative 'The Sheikh Hasina Initiative' will spread throughout the world and contribute to human welfare.
Chaired by Community Clinic Support Trust President Professor Dr Syed Modasser Ali, the Minister of Health and Family Welfare Dr. Samant Lal Sen, Secretary of Health Service Division Jahangir Alam, Managing Director of Community Clinic Health Assistance Trustee Additional Secretary AKM Nurunnabi Kabir and Line Director of Community Based Health Care (CBHC) Dr. Md. Qayyum Talukder and others spoke.