Health assistants in Kamalganj, Moulvibazar, have held a two-hour sit-in programme demanding revision of the recruitment rules for health assistants working at the field level, grade promotion according to educational qualifications and provision of technical ranks proposed by the Department of Health. The program was organized by the Bangladesh Health Assistant Association, Kamalganj Upazila branch on Tuesday from 9 am to 11 am at the office premises of the Kamalganj Upazila Health and Family Planning Officer.
The association's Kamalganj Upazila branch president Shyam Kanta Singha, general secretary Mostakim Ahmed, vice-president Moin Uddin Khan, advisor Anjuman Ara Ruby, Syed Mizanur Rahman, Abdul Mumin, Aniruddha Roy Pramod Chowdhury and others spoke at the sit-in program.
The speakers said that field health assistants are working tirelessly to provide healthcare to the doorsteps of the people. But for a long time they have been deprived of their due dignity and facilities.
They also said that it is the need of the hour to amend the proposed recruitment rules and provide 14th grade by adding graduation/equivalent educational qualifications, promote to 11th grade through in-service diploma training, provide technical ranks and provide higher grades by maintaining the continuity of promotions.
The speakers urged the government to implement these demands quickly and warned of announcing stricter programs in the future if the demands are not met.
Shyam Kant Singh, President of the Kamalganj Upazila Branch of the Bangladesh Health Assistant Association, said that there are about 26,000 health assistants across the country under the Directorate General of Health Services. They vaccinate children, pregnant women and adolescents and work in community clinics.
Although health assistants have been agitating for improvement in their technical ranks and salary scales at various times, it has been limited to promises and assurances. He called for the implementation of these demands quickly.
