Moheshkhali, one of the remotest islands in the country, has witnessed phenomenal changes over the past few years, thanks to mega projects and digital technology.
The isolated island is now a mere click away from the rest of the country as well as the world, with the islanders reaping the benefit of high-speed internet.
The people of the island have been enjoying various kinds of facilities in health care, education, trade and agriculture as well as other services provided by the government through e-services and e-commerce.
Such developments have taken place after the government launched a project named 'Digital Island Moheshkhali' in 2017.
The project aims to connect the isolated Island with the rest of the country and the outside world through high-speed internet.
The project is being jointly implemented by the International Organization for Migration (IMO), Korea Telecom, IT and communication department of the Bangladesh government and Bangladesh Computer Council.
It is the IMO's first public private partnership (PPP) project in the country.
Photo: Dhaka Tribune
Our correspondent was on a visit to the island recently to get first hand experience of developments.
Students of Moheshkhali Adinath Primary School are learning their lessons at the hands of experienced teachers of Dhaka through video conference. Third graders Tasfia, Ishan Dey Ontu and Joyonto Dey of the institution are pleased with the process of distance learning.
The upazila is famous for dried fish. Didarul Islam, Marufa Lopa and Romena Akhtar- a group of young people of the island- have started business online. They have set up an e-business centre and have been selling chemical-free dried fish through the channel.
Inhabitants of the island have been deprived of proper health care service for some time now, but the internet has opened up opportunities to avail better treatment.
Jahanara Begum, a resident of Ghorokghata of the upazila, came to the upazila health complex to see a doctor for skin disease. As the disease turned complicated, she was supposed to visit Cox's Bazar or Chittagong. However, health complex physician Shib Shekhor Bhattacharya approached a dermatologist through a video conference and managed a prescription for Jahanara.
"I am very pleased as I managed to see a specialist doctor through video conference. It saved both my time and money," Said Jahanara.
Local farmers and teachers are enriching their experience through e- learning, while government officials and employees of the upazila are carrying out most of their tasks through the digital system.
Photo: Dhaka Tribune
Patrick Charignon, head of the Transition and Recovery Division (TRD) of IOM Cox’s Bazar, said : "We chose this island for the project as it is the least developed with a high illiteracy rate as well as salinity that hinders agricultural yield.”
"Digital Island project also aims to increase the existing facilities of the Bangladesh government's IT department in order to create opportunities for the islanders."
In the view of Moheshkhali Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Md Jamirul Islam, “Digital Island is a multifaceted project which connects an isolated community with the rest of the world through high-speed internet."
"People of the upazila are being benefited through telemedicine , distance learning, information technology and community clubs,'' he added.