Call to raise health budget

FE Report

Speakers at a seminar on Saturday stressed achieving universal health coverage, addressing financial risk and access to quality essential health care services.

They called upon the government to maintain equity in health services, and increase the budget in the health sector to save the people from financial shocks.

Besides, they called for providing proper health services to Rohingya refugees as any health problem, faced by them, may create a negative health impact on local people.

Their remarks came during the seminar on 'Universal Health Coverage' at the VIP lounge of the National Press Club in the city.

Public Health Foundation Bangladesh (PHFB) organised the seminar marking the World Health Day.

They said about 6.4 million people slip into poverty annually in the country due to increased expenditure on their health. They urged the government to invest more in the health sector, making quality health services accessible for all.

Health-related expenditure is more in Bangladesh compared to other countries of the South Asia region. Budgetary allocation in the health sector in Bangladesh is also less than other countries of South Asia region. People in Bangladesh have to spend 67 per cent of total health cost, which proves a big financial burden on them, they noted.

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