Attack on Radda Health Centre condemned

COAST Foundation, EquityBD and the BD-CSO Network have strongly condemned the violent attack, looting and extensive destruction at the Radda MCH-FP Centre in Mirpur-1, Dhaka, on the night of September 25.

In a joint statement, the organisations expressed deep concern over the incident, saying Radda has been providing healthcare services to poor and vulnerable communities for nearly 50 years. Its centres have also become important healthcare providers for lower-middle-income and middle-income families.

According to the statement, Radda’s centres collectively provide healthcare services to around 500,000 mothers and children every year.

The organisations said an organised attack on a healthcare facility was not only an assault on property and infrastructure but also affected people’s access to essential healthcare and the environment in which health and humanitarian services are delivered.

They expressed particular concern over the reported looting and destruction of medicines and vaccines, saying the incident could have implications for public health and disrupt essential services.

COAST Foundation, EquityBD and the BD-CSO Network said such an incident was unacceptable under any circumstances and stressed that the relevant authorities have a responsibility to ensure the safety and security of healthcare and humanitarian service providers, their personnel, assets and facilities.

They called for a prompt, impartial and transparent investigation into the incident and urged the authorities to identify those responsible for the attack, looting, arson and destruction of property and take appropriate legal action.

The organisations also called for immediate steps to recover the looted assets and restore the affected healthcare services as quickly as possible.

The three organisations expressed solidarity with the affected institution, its staff and others impacted by the incident. They also urged the authorities to strengthen security around healthcare and humanitarian service facilities to prevent similar incidents in the future.