The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

USAID Assistant Administrator Dr Kent Hill yesterday visited some USAID funded health projects outside Dhaka.

His visits included Smiling Sun Health Clinic at Tongi, Social Marketing Company (SMC) orsaline factory and Blue Star Pharmacy at Bhaluka, a USAID press release said.

Dr Hill is on a three-day visit to Bangladesh to review USAID's health programmes in the region.

During his visit, Dr Hill inspected the USAID supported SMC oral rehydration salt factory and observed first hand the producing process of oral rehydration salts that have proved to be the remedy for dehydration.

While visiting Smiling Sun Health Clinic, he interacted with the doctors and patients and reviewed the clinic's unique approach to replicating its programme around the country.

He appreciated the quality and range of services the clinic offers to nearly two million mostly poor Bangladeshis who visit the clinic every month.

Dr Hill also visited the USAID supported SMC Blue Star Pharmacy and learned about the different methods of family planning the SMC provides to its large customer base.

He also appreciated the organisation for helping the Sidr affected people by setting up medical camps and working round-the-clock to produce extra numbers of oral rehydration salt sachets.

As part of USAID's effort to improve the overall health condition of the Bangladeshi people, USAID will provide US$173 million over the next five years to fund programmes supporting maternal and child health, family planning, tuberculosis eradication and HIV/AIDS mitigation under the health and population agreement with the government of Bangladesh.