'Form bodies at hospitals to address emergencies'

Speakers at a roundtable yesterday underscored the need for forming disaster management and preparedness committees at hospitals to ensure healthcare facilities during and after the emergencies.
Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) and James P Grant School of Public Health, Brac University jointly organised the roundtable titled 'Save lives, make hospitals safe in emergencies' at Brac University in the city.
The speakers said emergencies during disasters and other crises put healthcare providers under stress and lack of accountability and government's failure aggravate the problem.
An integrated planning is needed to address such issues, they said.
TIB Chairman Prof Muzaffar Ahmad underscored the need for creating mass awareness about hygiene and right to healthcare.
He also demanded the existing health institutes be made functional to make the best out of the limited resources.
Vice Chancellor of Brac University Prof Jamilur Reza Chowdhury emphasised strengthening the monitoring system to stop irregularities in the health sector.
TIB Executive Director Dr Iftekharuzzaman presented the keynote paper at the roundtable where he suggested ensuring citizens' participation, strengthening infrastructure, creating reserve capacity and developing a strong information and communication system to this end.
The speakers also demanded transparency and accountability to establish good governance, which will ensure right to healthcare.
They also demanded a code of conduct for the people concerned of the area to ensure healthcare for all.
Dr Zafrullah Chowdhury, programme coordinator, Gonoshasthya Nagar Hospital, and Brig Gen Dr Abdus Shahid Khan, director, DMCH, also spoke.