Health and Family Welfare Adviser Nurjahan Begum has said that addressing the various issues plaguing the healthcare system and advancing it to a higher level requires both time and collective effort.
She said this after inspecting flood-affected Sonaimuri Upazila in Noakhali on Saturday.
During her visit, she inspected several shelter centres including Kashipur Multipurpose High School, Kashipur Muhammadia Fazil Madrasa, and Washikpur Al-Falah Model High School.
She observed a shortage of water purification tablets at these centres and instructed relevant authorities to ensure a sufficient supply of necessary medicines.
Additionally, she said that alum could also be used to disinfect water. Without proper purification, well water should not be consumed in the current situation.
She stressed the need for the Health Directorate and field workers to play a stronger role in raising public awareness. Healthcare workers must adopt a patient-friendly and service-oriented attitude, as there should be no room for poor service delivery.
Nurjahan Begum further said that post-flood periods often see outbreaks of diseases such as diarrhoea, cholera, and skin infections, and stressed the importance of early awareness and preparedness for these health issues.
She also said that the provision of comprehensive healthcare services, relief assistance, family planning, and newborn health for the people staying at the shelters, particularly women and children.
