OGSB ensures universal access to timely and affordable treatment and obstetrical and gynecological healthcare in Bangladesh
Promila Akhter, a day laborer who lives in Kalyanpur, needed to urgently hospitalize her pregnant daughter Maliha Akhter due to her sudden labor pains. The worried mother checked with different nearby private hospitals that were asking TK20000 to 25000 thousand for a normal delivery. She became restless and did not know what to do and where it was possible to deliver her daughter at a minimum cost.
In Bangladesh, 64.3% [1] of all healthcare expenditures are made out of pocket; and approximately $1.49 billion is spent on health-related issues in each year. Families in Bangladesh experience hardship due to the high cost of healthcare, especially considering that just over 20% of the population is below the poverty line. 10% of workers make less than $1.90 [2] per day.
Finally, she learnt about the Obstetrical and Gynecological Society of Bangladesh (OGSB) Hospital from her sister who lives in Mirpur and delivered her daughter there. All in all, she spent Tk11,000 only, including the associated costs like hospital bills, and medication.
The Obstetrical and Gynecological Society of Bangladesh (OGSB) Hospital and Institute of Reproductive and Child Health received a 5-star facility certificate from the Directorate General of Health Services in February in 2022 for doing extremely well in providing maternal and new-born health care.
The hospital provides all types of gynecological operations, including normal delivery, cesarean delivery, and laparoscopy at relatively low costs; together with offering various services free of charge such as adolescent and new-born health care, VIA test for cervical cancer diagnosis and family planning services. The NICU of Obstetrical and Gynecological Society of Bangladesh (OGSB) Hospital has modern equipment, and charges only Tk5-6,000 per day, compared to Tk10,000-20,000 in other private hospitals. The patient can take the services of gynecologists and pediatricians for Tk200-350 every day from 8am to 2pm in the outdoor area of the hospital. In the afternoon, senior professors see referred patients at low cost. However, OGSB celebrates special days – such as Safe Motherhood Day, Victory Day, etc. – in the premises of OGSB Hospital where they provide free outdoor medical services.
Besides, a Fistula Center, consisting of eight beds was established at OGSB Hospital. A Committee named, “OGSB Fistula Foundation, Bangladesh” was formed, and a donation of BDT 26,00,000 (25 lac FDR) was received from the esteemed members of OGSB Society. So far, some 25 patients have been operated on and all these operations were done free of cost.
The Obstetrical and Gynecological Society of Bangladesh (OGSB) advocates for stopping unnecessary C-sections, and spreads the advantages of normal delivery: women’s quicker physical and mental recovery after giving birth, higher possibility of successful breastfeeding, the baby’s better immunity due to natural physiological adaptation to the environment, and support for the baby’s longer-term growth, health, and development.