Operational guidelines for management of community clinics by community groups: a study on perspectives of stakeholders.

The Government of Bangladesh in its Health and Population Sector Programme 1998-2003 has adopted a precise approach of community participation in managing the health and family planning programs. This approach outlines the involvement of the community in the management of Community Clinics in partnership with the government. This paper focuses on the practical ways and means of institutional participation of the community in the operation and management of primary-level healthcare facilities in the community. The study was thus intended to gather community perceptions specifically to: formulate a modus operandi for community groups (CGs) and ascertain the specific activities feasible for CGs to perform and the means through which the community can discharge them. The study followed a qualitative approach of participatory discussion with the CG members and other elected community representatives. During August-December 1999 six workshops were held in Chittagong district and were participated by members of 18 CGs. The participants were enthusiastic in shouldering the responsibilities given to them and candidly expressed their views and ideas on the matters discussed with them. Results of the discussion suggest that the CGs should be sufficiently empowered to deal with the desired responsibilities.