It is difficult to locate the Nari Maitree clinic facility. The facility is located at a distance from the main road within a residential compound, secured by a gate. Although a big signboard is displayed at the actual facility building, the sign at the main entrance is quite small and unnoticeable. A larger signboard in a visible place can help patients identify the centre easily.

Photographer: Abu Bokkar Sagar, TB Gate, Mohakhali

The entrance to the clinic is at a lower level than the adjacent road and the walkway is uneven. During the rainy season, the roads are muddy and the entrance gets waterlogged. The entry is used as a garage by the landlord of the facility and a vehicle is parked there most of the time, blocking half the entry. These issues make it difficult for clients (especially pregnant women, women with small children, and the elderly) to access the clinic.

Photographer: Abu Bokkar Sagar, TB Gate, Mohakhali

A poster with the list of services offered by Nari Maitree is hung up at the clinic facility, which is helpful for clients. However, these services do not include delivery service. If pregnant mothers want to receive delivery service from Nari Maitree clinic, then they have to travel go to the Comprehensive Reproductive healthcare center (CRHCC) of Nari Maitree located in Maghbazar, Dhaka which is quite far from Amtali. If delivery services were offered at the Amtali clinic or nearby, it would be more convenient.

Photographer: Surovee Sarkar Mukta, Paschim Mahalla, Mohakhali

Many people do not know that Nari Maitree offers diagnostic services and primary healthcare services for everyone (including men), not just for women and children. It would be good if more work is done on raising awareness about the services offered.

Photographer: Anowar Hossain, TB Gate, Mohakhali

The waiting room at the facility doubles as a common/meeting room. During peak hours and on busy days, such as on the days the clinic provides immunization services, the room becomes very crowded. If more funds were provided for house rent by the clinic authority, then a facility with a bigger waiting room could be availed.

Photographer: Surovee Sarkar Mukta, Paschim Mahalla, Mohakhali

The Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) vaccines provided by the Government of Bangladesh are available at the Nari Maitree Amtali clinic, free of cost for all. The clinic maintains the cold chain for the vaccines and clients can avail the service on select days of the week.

Photographer: Sabonti Rani Das, TB Gate, Mohakhali

The road to the Nari Maitree satellite clinic is in very bad shape, especially during the rainy season, which limits access to many clients.

Photographer: Amit Samaddar, TB Gate, Mohakhali

The jheel paar (pond) near the Nari Maitree satellite clinic is quite terrible! The banks are filled with waste, the water is dirty and sewage from a nearby hospital gets deposited in this pond, leading to further pollution. Due to lack of awareness and accessibility to other sources of water, many people who live in this area use this dirty water for various purposes including washing clothes and utensils, drinking and bathing. They are not fully aware of the environmental and health risks they face/may face as a consequence of using this water. The community would benefit greatly if Nari Maitree could carry out campaigns to raise awareness about water sanitation.

Photographer: Anowar Hossain, TB Gate, Mohakhali

The Nari Maitree satellite clinic is located in the staff welfare society office room of TB hospital on scheduled days of the week. However, if the scheduled day falls on a public holiday (like it was the week after Eid ul Azha when the picture was taken), no make up session is done on such occasion, which can cause inconvenience for clients.

Photographer: Amit Samaddar, TB Gate, Mohakhali

Medicines prescribed by the Nari Maitree clinic doctor can be bought directly from the clinic, at a discounted rate for regular patients and is free for red card holders (clients from impoverished households). This saves clients from the hassle of trying to source their medicines from external pharmacies and the discount is especially beneficial to those who live within limited means.

Photographer: Abu Bokkar Sagar, TB Gate, Mohakhali

Women can receive complete care (ANC, PNC, newborn and child care, immunization) during and post pregnancy at the Nari Maitree clinic. On top of that, clients from poor households (red card holders) can avail the services free of cost.

Photographer: Surovee Sarkar Mukta, Paschim Mahallah, Mohakhali