Faridpur health workers demand transfer of centres to Health Ministry, job retention

Health workers under the second phase of the Urban Primary Health Care Services Delivery Project (UPHCSDP) staged a human chain and sit-in protest in Faridpur today (6 May), demanding that 192 health centres built under the project be transferred from the Local Government Division to the Ministry of Health, while retaining the jobs of existing staff.

The programme was held at 10:30am at the Faridpur Municipality premises and in front of the Civil Surgeon’s office.

As part of a nationwide protest, officials and employees from different levels of the project, including the PMU and PIU under municipalities, took part in the demonstration.

Speaking at the human chain, the protesters said 4,382 workers across the country have long been providing healthcare services with skill and experience. However, the sudden decision to transfer the health centres has created uncertainty over their employment.

They urged the government to retain their jobs under the Ministry of Health following the handover.

The speakers also said the project has significantly improved the quality of primary healthcare services in urban areas. Therefore, instead of appointing new personnel, experienced existing staff should be retained.

After the human chain, the protesters brought out a procession and went to the Faridpur Municipality office, where they met Chief Executive Officer Hossain Mohammad Hai Jakir and presented their concerns.

Municipal Executive Officer Tanzilur Rahman, Accounts Officer Gobinda Chandra Mondal and other officials were present.

The protesters later marched to the Civil Surgeon’s office, where they held another demonstration and submitted a memorandum to Deputy Civil Surgeon Shah Mohammad Badruddoza.

They also submitted a memorandum to the Deputy Commissioner’s office with the same demands.

During the programme, the demonstrators chanted slogans and called for urgent government intervention to resolve the issue.