The 7th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the non-profit organization Surjer Hashi Network (SHN) was held today, 29 December 2025, at the organization’s head office. Honorable members of the Board of Directors, general members of the company, and members of SHN’s senior management team were present at the meeting.
At the 7th AGM, the significant achievements and sustainable progress of the organization in FY 2024–25 were highlighted. It was reported that despite the withdrawal of donor support, the imposition of new VAT, increased tax burden, and the risks associated with operating from temporary facilities, the organization has been able to establish itself on a strong financial and institutional footing. The Chairperson of the Board, Professor Rubina Hamid, informed the meeting that during the fiscal year, cost recovery at the clinic level increased to 90 percent, while at the network level it rose to 73 percent. Particularly noteworthy is that, based on performance in June 2025, 21 clinics achieved 100 percent or more cost recovery on an individual basis—a rare achievement in the primary healthcare sector locally and globally. At the same time, around 35 clinics consistently maintained improved operational performance. As a result of investments and close supervision over the past five years, long-neglected clinics have been revitalized and service quality has improved significantly. Combined revenues from clinic services and medicine sales increased by six percent, with income from medicine sales rising by thirty-eight percent. Although there was a slight decline in income from clinic services, this was mainly due to the handover of clinics at the local level, not because of any clinic closures. The meeting further noted that the organization has transitioned from a fully manual management system to an integrated, secure, and data-driven digital management system, significantly strengthening transparency, control, and decision-making.
Speaking at the meeting, the Chief Executive Officer of the organization, Shaila Purvin, said that FY 2024–25 was an important milestone for Surjer Hashi, describing it as a “comeback year.” She stated that after donor grants ceased about two and a half years ago, the management team, with firm support from the Board, worked with two clear objectives. The first objective was to make as many clinics as possible financially sustainable, which was achieved despite the introduction of new VAT, increased tax pressure, rising costs of operating from temporary facilities, and frequent experiences or risks of eviction. She further noted that, based on June 2025 performance, as 21 clinics generated surpluses, it will be possible to cover part of the network’s management costs without donor support. Given the reality that for many years these clinics have been operating as temporary projects without permanent infrastructure or long-term security, the next objective is to work toward developing permanent infrastructure in Dhaka and outside Dhaka. This, she said, is essential to ensure the long-term sustainability of the Surjer Hashi brand and to continue providing quality and inclusive healthcare services to the population. She expressed her gratitude to the Board of Directors for their continued support in achieving these goals.
