Private-sector pledges aim to improve healthcare access for the Manta community while opening avenues for employment and stronger social inclusion.
Several private hospitals, diagnostic centres and pharmaceutical companies in Barishal have pledged free medicines and treatment, along with maximum discounts on various health tests, for the marginalised Manta community living on waterways.
A private institution has also assured job opportunities for Manta youths based on their qualifications.
The commitments came at a discussion meeting held at a hotel in Barishal on Thursday under the “MantaConnect” project, jointly implemented by YouthNet Global and The Asia Foundation.
The meeting discussed the lifestyle of the Manta community, the barriers they face in accessing healthcare, and ways to ensure affordable, accessible and sustainable healthcare services for them.
The Manta community, whose lives are closely tied to rivers and wetlands, is among the most marginalised communities in Bangladesh. They continue to face exclusion and discrimination in accessing education, healthcare, financial services and other civic facilities. The MantaConnect project is being implemented by YouthNet Global and The Asia Foundation to promote digital education, healthcare access and financial inclusion among the community.
Nasirul Alam of Refco Pharmaceuticals Ltd said, “I heard the life stories of the Manta people for the first time. I had never had the opportunity to learn about their realities in this way. We will take an initiative to provide free medicines to this community from our institution.”
Dr Md Nazrul Islam, director of Arif Memorial Hospital, said, “I am very happy to attend this programme organised for the Manta community. If any member of the Manta community comes to our institution for treatment, we will try to provide them with the maximum possible discount.”
Md Mosharaf Hossain, AGM of Popular Diagnostic Centre, said, “Until now, I thought the Manta people belonged to the Bede community. After learning about them in detail today, my perception has changed.”
He added, “If any Manta youth aged 18 or above comes to our institution seeking a job, we will try to provide an employment opportunity based on their qualifications. We will also arrange free treatment for the Manta community and take initiatives to coordinate with other diagnostic centres in Barishal to ensure the maximum possible discounts on various medical tests.”
Arifur Rahman Shuvo, general secretary of YouthNet Global, said, “Ensuring healthcare for the Manta community is not the responsibility of any single project or organisation; it is our collective social responsibility.”
“Cooperation from the private sector, alongside government institutions, is extremely important to make healthcare accessible to the Manta community. Through today’s discussion, we want not only commitments for some services, but also to build a long-term collaborative network to stand beside the Manta people,” he said.
Heads and representatives of various pharmaceutical companies, hospitals, diagnostic centres and private service organisations in Barishal attended the meeting, including representatives of Rahat Anwar Hospital, LabAid and Medinovas, among others.
The participating private-sector representatives assured cooperation in providing free healthcare services and medicines, and maximum discounts on medical tests, for members of the Manta community.
Organisers said activities under the MantaConnect project would continue to expand healthcare access for the community through coordination with the private sector, alongside efforts to broaden their social and economic inclusion.
