Present status of accountability on health related activities among city corporation’s officials: A qualitative study

Abstract

The main purposes of this research were to assess the present status and challenges to establish accountability on health related activities among selected city corporation officials in Bangladesh.The study duration was six months from March to August in 2017. This qualitative study based on IDI (74) and KII (9) methods included Dhaka city (North and South), Rajshahi city and Chittagong city using purposive and convenient sampling approach. The overall scenario of accountability was satisfactory among the city corporations’ officials. The condition of Rajshahi City was better than other sectors in terms of health and cleanliness as well as waste management. In many cases Chittagong City Corporation had similarity to Rajshahi City Corporation. The present scenario was not satisfactory and there was no adequate place for recreation in Dhaka City. WASH systems were not satisfactory in all City Corporations comparatively. For controlling malaria and other diseases, all the City Corporations were trying hard to reach the goal. Most city dwellers participated at the ward level through indirect mechanisms like ward councilors and local political leaders. Sometimes City Corporation officials opened the opportunity through direct mechanisms, such as participation in public hearings, meetings and petitions. Therefore,it can be concluded that both upward accountability and downward accountability were responsible for not to better exercise to ensure participation.