The use of private health care providers in rural Bangladesh: a response to Claquin

This study examines the distribution and differential use of private health care practitioners in one area of Bangladesh. It highlights the importance of gender, age and class factors as these impinge upon the utilization of different health care providers. Based on the complexity of these factors in influencing the utilization of health services, the feasibility of Claquin's recommendation to employ a palli chikitshok cadre of fee-for-service doctors in rural Bangladesh is reassessed. It is concluded that, as presently envisaged, the employment of these health providers would serve to solidify the rural elite structure and further remove quality health care from poor rural villagers.