Khagrachari Correspondent: A high-level joint monitoring mission of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) visited Khagrachari district as part of an ongoing field inspection of a Global Affairs Canada (GAC)-funded project aimed at improving maternal health, reproductive health, and women-friendly healthcare services in the remote hill regions. The visit has created renewed optimism in the district’s healthcare sector as the delegation closely observed project progress, service quality, and the real-life experiences of beneficiaries.
On Wednesday (April 29), UNFPA representative Ms. Catherine Breen Kamkong visited the Kayaonghat Union Health and Family Welfare Centre under Mahalchhari upazila in Khagrachari district. During the visit, she reviewed the facility’s services, operational environment, and ongoing healthcare activities designed to ensure essential health services for women in hard-to-reach mountainous areas.
She held in-depth discussions with fistula patients, women receiving VIA (Visual Inspection with Acetic Acid) screening services, pregnant mothers, and other beneficiaries. She attentively listened to their experiences regarding access to healthcare, challenges in reaching health facilities, transportation difficulties, communication barriers, and other practical issues. She also expressed optimism about strengthening healthcare accessibility and improving service delivery in the region.
Local beneficiaries described the initiative as a significant support for women in the remote hill communities, particularly in advancing maternal health, reproductive healthcare, and fistula prevention services.
Later in the afternoon, the delegation visited Khagrachari Modern District Hospital and the Mother and Child Welfare Hospital. They inspected various wards, service units, and medical facilities, interacted with patients, and assessed the overall healthcare environment, infrastructure, human resources, and quality of services.
Following the visit, the delegation appreciated the ongoing efforts to improve healthcare services in the district. They particularly commended the dedication of healthcare providers in overcoming geographical and infrastructural challenges to ensure healthcare delivery in the remote hill regions.
The delegation included UNFPA Bangladesh Chief of Health Mr. Vivandendra Raghubanshi, Chief of Communication Ms. Gulalek Saltanova, Program Specialist and Chief Gender Ms. Shamima Parvin, and SRHR Program Analyst Mr. Md. Shamsuzzaman, among other senior officials.
Also present were Khagrachari Civil Surgeon Dr. Md. Sabber, District Family Planning Officer Dr. Md. Faruk Abdullah, Senior Consultant (Gynecology) Dr. Joya Chakma, SRHR Coordinator of the Civil Surgeon’s Office Dr. Srabasti Chakma, District Coordinator of Green Hill Mr. Rupanta Chakma, Fistula Project District Coordinator Mr. Md. Mostafizur Rahman, along with health officials, physicians, nurses, and other project stakeholders.
Stakeholders noted that the GAC-funded initiative plays a vital role in strengthening maternal health, safe motherhood, fistula prevention and treatment, family planning, and ensuring quality healthcare services in the hill districts. The project is particularly significant in reaching women in remote and underserved areas with essential health services.
They further emphasized that such high-level monitoring visits are crucial for enhancing inclusivity, sustainability, and accessibility of healthcare services. The delegation expressed hope that the visit would bring renewed momentum to project implementation and contribute to further positive changes in the healthcare sector of the hill region.
The initiative stands as a notable example of effective collaboration between international partners, government agencies, and local organizations to ensure healthcare services for women in the remote and challenging terrain of Khagrachari.