High-Level Visit to Karail Aalo Clinic: A Milestone for Urban Primary Health Care in Bangladesh
On January 8, 2025, the Karail Aalo Clinic had the honor of hosting a high-level visit from Nurjahan Begum, the Hon’ble Adviser of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MOHFW) in the Interim Government of Bangladesh, alongside Professor Dr. Md. Sayedur Rahman, the Hon’ble Special Assistant to the Chief Advisor. The visit was graciously hosted by the Director General of Health Services, Prof. Dr. Md. Abu Jafor. This significant occasion marked a turning point in the recognition of UNICEF and SIDA’s supported ‘Model Urban PHC Clinics (Aalo Clinic)’ as a pioneering initiative in urban healthcare.
The Aalo Clinic, implemented by a consortium led by Partners in Health Development (PHD), stands as an exemplary model of urban Primary Health Care (PHC), bridging the existing gaps in healthcare services for underserved urban populations. With the Interim Government prioritizing reforms in crucial sectors, including healthcare, the visit served as an opportunity to evaluate and appreciate the clinic’s innovative approach. The Hon’ble Adviser and her delegation meticulously toured every service delivery desk, witnessing firsthand the efficiency of the fully digitalized, paperless PHC model. The visitors were particularly impressed by the clinic’s ability to deliver quality services with minimal resources while maintaining high client satisfaction.
Recognizing the potential of the Aalo Clinic as a scalable solution, the Hon’ble Adviser expressed strong support for its expansion. She emphasized the need to scale up this model in Dhaka as a first phase, with a vision for nationwide implementation. In light of this, she directed her Special Assistant to explore ways to facilitate the expansion within the scope of available resources. Her endorsement signifies a critical step towards institutionalizing the Aalo Clinic model as an integral component of Bangladesh’s urban healthcare system.
The visit reinforced the Interim Government’s commitment to improving urban healthcare services, particularly for marginalized communities. The recognition of the Aalo Clinic as a model for urban PHC highlights its potential to contribute significantly to the country’s efforts toward achieving Universal Health Coverage. The success of this initiative reflects the effectiveness of collaborative efforts between government bodies, development partners, and healthcare providers. Moving forward, the government’s proactive stance in addressing urban healthcare challenges, inspired by the Aalo Clinic model, could set a new benchmark for urban PHC in Bangladesh.
