Government Reviews Expansion of ‘Alo Clinic’ Model

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, digital implementation strategies, and key 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 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.

Developed and implemented by UNICEF with financial backing from the Swedish government, 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++). Data from the Urban Health and Demographic Surveillance System (UHDSS) demonstrated substantial improvements in maternal and child health outcomes, including a rise in institutional delivery rates and a noticeable decline in under-five mortality rates.

In his speech, Health Minister Sarder Md. Sakhawat Hossain emphasized that strengthening primary healthcare for all citizens remains a core objective of the current administration. He stated, "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."

Highlighting a special directive, the Minister said, "Under the guidance of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, kidney dialysis facilities are being introduced and expanded in grassroots hospitals (upazila, district, and medical college hospitals). Maximum numbers of ambulances are being arranged for patients in remote areas."

He further added, "The way Alo Clinic delivers quality service to the urban underprivileged is truly exemplary. I will personally visit one of their clinics next week to gather practical insights. This experience will be utilized in managing the 192 urban health centers that we have taken over from the city corporations."

The workshop concluded with strategic recommendations and was attended by DGHS Director General Professor Dr. Probhat Chandra Biswas, UNICEF Bangladesh Chief of Health Dr. Malalai Ahmedzai, and WHO Representative Dr. Ahmed Jamshed Mohammad.

//DBTech/JNN/MI//