Gonoshasthaya Kendra
In 1972 Dr. Chowdhury setup the Gonoshasthaya Kendra. Actually the idea was introduced in a concept paper titled, ‘Basic Health Care in Rural Bangladesh’ in Dhaka. The center focuses on providing basic healthcare to the rural areas. The center also runs a university, vocational training center, agricultural cooperatives, hospital, a printing press, community schools and a generic drug manufacturing plant. Gonoshasthaya Kendra has been very successful in providing family planning services, lowering maternal, infant mortality rates. Though limited in its reach, it pioneered the introduction of cheaper generic drugs. In 1973, Gonoshasthaya Kendra introduced a Rural Healthcare Insurance System, the first of its kind in Bangladesh.
Critiques have pointed out that rather than being national, the center's reach has been confined to specific areas. However, Zafrullah Chowdhury believes that public health is a state matter, it can never be left to the private sector.
Read more about this topic: Zafrullah Chowdhury