Staff Correspondent

The government is actively reviewing the potential expansion of the "Alo Clinic" model to significantly enhance primary healthcare access for underprivileged children, women, and vulnerable families across urban areas.

The evidence-based outcomes, implementation strategies, and lessons learned from the initiative were highlighted today at a national dissemination workshop organized by the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) and Alo Clinic at a Dhaka hotel to guide the government's future urban healthcare roadmap on Thursday.

Health and Family Welfare Minister Sarder Md. Sakhawat Hossain attended the workshop as the chief guest.

The event, organized in collaboration with the Embassy of Sweden, UNICEF, and Partners in Health and Development (PHD), aimed to address the growing healthcare challenges faced by the rapidly increasing urban population in Bangladesh, where affordable and quality medical services remain out of reach for many.

Developed and implemented by UNICEF with financial backing from the Swedish government and in partnership with the government of Bangladesh, the Alo Clinic model has been operational since 2021. Currently, six clinics across Dhaka North, Dhaka South, Gazipur, and Narayanganj provide free, integrated, and completely digitalized primary healthcare under the national Essential Services Package (ESP++). The clinics offer comprehensive maternal, neonatal, and child care, immunizations, nutrition screening, diagnostics, and general treatment, serving an average of 168 patients daily.

Data from the Urban Health and Demographic Surveillance System (UHDSS) presented at the workshop demonstrated substantial improvements in maternal and child health outcomes in coverage areas, including a rise in institutional delivery rates and a noticeable decline in neonatal, infant, and under-five mortality rates. Recognizing its efficacy, the government has requested UNICEF to prepare a concept note for the future expansion of the model.

Health Minister emphasized that strengthening primary healthcare for all citizens, regardless of their location or financial background, remains a core objective of the current administration.

The Health Minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring sustainable healthcare, stating that public health complexes will be upgraded to build public trust so that citizens do not have to incur catastrophic out-of-pocket expenses at private hospitals.

The workshop concluded with a series of strategic recommendations aimed at scaling up the model nationwide. The event was attended by DGHS Director General Professor Dr. Probhat Chandra Biswas, UNICEF Bangladesh Chief of Health Dr. Malalai Ahmedzai, and WHO Representative to Bangladesh Dr. Ahmed Jamshed Mohammad, along with senior ministry officials and public health experts.