Three non-profits, led by US-based Human Concern USA (HC USA), on Tuesday launched a cost-efficient mobile healthcare service for remote communities in Bhuapur upazila, Tangail.

The mobile clinics will conduct medical camps every month to serve over 3,000 underprivileged people in Tangail and surrounding districts for as few as $4 dollar per person per visit, a cost far more affordable than the WHO’s benchmark $44 per capita healthcare expenditure for poor countries.

The background to launching the clinics was set by a North South University study as it painted a glaringly gloomy picture of the otherwise charming char areas of Bangladesh.

Riverine islands (Chars) in Bangladesh, such as the charming Susua Char in Tangail, are places of stunning natural beauty—golden sunsets, winding rivers, and serene villages. These calm and simple settings offer a refreshing escape from the hustle of modern life. However, behind this lovely scene lies a different reality for the people who live there.

A North South University (NSU) study reveals a life marked by isolation and hardship, where access to essential services like healthcare is considered a luxury rather than a necessity.  Susua Island, home to about 1,000 families, is geographically isolated by the mighty Jamuna River. The island has no electricity, no clean drinking water, and only one clinic that provides limited care for basic health issues. 

Human Concern USA (HC USA), a US-based humanitarian organisation, used insights from the research to address the challenges of Bangladesh’s peripheral communities. In partnership with the HMBD Foundation and Humanity Foundation, it launched the Clinic on Wheels (CoW) program to deliver essential medical care to peripheral communities. 

As part of this initiative, on Tuesday, HC USA initiated a program to offer medical care in four villages of the remote char area of Bhuapur in Tangail. About 300 people from the northern part of Char Shushua village were provided free medical services. People of all ages, from children to the elderly, attended the camp for treatment. 

For the residents of Susua Island, reaching healthcare involves a long journey—first, a boat ride across the river, followed by a motorcycle ride through narrow, rough dirt paths. With such a lack of infrastructure, even obtaining routine medical care is a significant challenge. The only clinic serves over 4,800 people, offering only basic treatment for common ailments. As a result, health conditions worsen with nearly 79.4% of the women giving birth at home, often with devastating consequences, and malnutrition affects a large portion of the population as well.

This situation is not unique to Susua Island. Across Bangladesh, particularly in rural and island communities, healthcare remains out of reach for many. In Bangladesh, 5.26 doctors serve around 10,000 people, a significantly low ratio compared to its neighbouring countries like India and the Maldives.

Bangladesh’s rural districts, including Tangail, Mymensingh, Jamalpur, Sherpur struggle to meet even the most basic healthcare needs. In these areas, hospitals are few and far between, and the few clinics that exist are ill-equipped to address serious health concerns. Many residents, due to the lack of access to medical facilities, turn to alternative medicine for treatment.

Each mobile clinic of the CoW program of HC USA is a self-contained unit staffed with two doctors, a nurse, a midwife, and medical assistants. Equipped with diagnostic tools and essential medicines, these mobile units travel to remote areas, offering free medical checkups, medication, and referrals.

The impact of this initiative is far-reaching. This program delivers essential primary acute healthcare services at an exceptionally low cost.

Additionally, the CoW program addresses chronic health issues that often go undiagnosed due to the lack of healthcare infrastructure. Conditions like hypertension and diabetes, which affect many older adults in these communities, can now be identified and managed. Regular outreach is also helping to improve vaccination rates, which are currently below the national average, offering hope for better immunity and a healthier future for children in these areas.

HC USA’s CEO, Masum Mahbub, encapsulates the vision behind this transformative initiative: “With the Clinic on Wheels, we are breaking down barriers to healthcare in some of Bangladesh’s most underserved regions. This project is a testament to our commitment to saving lives and empowering communities through sustainable, data-driven solutions.”

The success of the Clinic on Wheels initiative demonstrates that with continued investment, innovation, and collaboration among governments, NGOs, and research institutions, the country can move closer to a future where healthcare is a universal right, not a privilege.