Implement RCC laws to protect public health

Rajshahi residents formed a human chain and staged a rally at the city's Alupatty intersection yesterday, to press a five-point demand including protection of people's health and implementation of the Rajshahi City Corporation Act to that end.

Under the banner of Rajshahi chapter of Shushashoner Jonno Nagorik, the demonstrators also sought resumption of Rajshahi Sadar Hospital.

Speakers at the rally said apart from different development activities for improving civic amenities, the city corporation has the responsibility to protect the city dwellers' health. But the corporation remains busy mostly with development activities and reluctant to other issues.

They said the sections from 80 to 84 of the RCC Act of 1987 clearly states that the corporation would establish a hospital for treating patients of different infectious diseases and take up steps to control those.

They demanded that the corporation establish health centres, maternities, promote family planning and set up welfare centres for women and children in the city as per the law.

Their demands included taking steps for health education and development of public health, setting up required number of hospitals and dispensaries for providing healthcare to people, establishing primary medical treatment centres, and promoting associations for providing healthcare and health education.

Local leaders of Shujan attended the demonstration.