Bangladesh Ansar and Village Defence Party (Ansar-VDP) has completed the first phase of a free medical services initiative designed to bring modern healthcare to underserved and remote communities, reinforcing the force’s public welfare role ahead of the national election.
The programme was organised under the leadership of Director General Major General Abdul Motaleb Sazzad Mahmud, who addressed the closing event on Thursday (29 January) in Maheshkhali, Cox’s Bazar, via virtual connection from headquarters. Major General Mahmud said Ansar-VDP had offered healthcare before, but this project prioritised quality and technology-driven services for people in remote parts of the country.
He said the largest number of Ansar and VDP members would be deployed during the upcoming national election. Launched on 27 December, the programme saw strong participation across targeted areas, helping build trust between the force and the public, he added. Major General Mahmud said the force’s capacity to reach difficult-to-access regions had introduced a new dimension to delivering healthcare for marginalised populations and said Ansar-VDP would integrate the Ansar-VDP Academy hospital more closely into future rounds of the initiative to cover nearly 30 million people, including more than six million members and their families.
At the event, Chattogram Range Commander Dr Md Saifur Rahman said 15 medical camps were established in seven districts with limited healthcare access under the “Sanjiban” project. He said services delivered included general treatment, maternal and child healthcare, and eye care, reflecting the force’s commitment to “administration for good governance.”
Dr Mohammad Elias, assistant professor and neurosurgeon at Ad-din Medical College, Bashundhara, said portable laboratories, generators and advanced technology provided at the camps were a clear example of Ansar-VDP’s humane approach and would help make advanced medical services more accessible in future.
Mridul Hasan, managing director of coordinating organisation Mridul’s Communications, said ensuring quality healthcare — especially for women — in areas deprived of modern medical services was deeply fulfilling and reflected strong social responsibility.
In the first phase, a total of 8,727 patients received specialist care in remote areas of Bogura, Jamalpur, Bhola, Lalmonirhat, Khulna, Satkhira and Cox’s Bazar. Each camp provided diagnostic reports within five to 20 minutes, mirroring modern hospital standards and creating a positive experience for rural communities.
The programme delivered 219 free cataract operations with an estimated market value of Tk3.245 million. Diagnostic services including ECG, CBC and kidney tests worth around Tk5.315 million and medicines worth about Tk1.3 million were distributed at no cost. Overall, services valued at approximately Tk14.16 million were delivered during the first phase.
Each camp treated two to three times more patients than targeted, highlighting the acute demand for healthcare in marginalised areas.
Bangladesh Ansar and Village Defence Party’s role goes beyond security duties to include improving quality of life and ensuring human security. Organisers expect that expanding such welfare initiatives, grounded in transparency, accountability and humanitarian values, will strengthen the country’s social protection architecture and enhance ties between state forces and the public.
