Foreign investment in health sector

The government's investment promotion agency is trying to bring in foreign direct investment in the country's fragile health sector. The chairman of the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) reportedly said the agency is trying to attract FDI as part of its normal initiative, not because of the concern over the country's health system during the coronavirus crisis.

In fact, the weakness of the health system got exposed in the face of the Covid-19and hasthus created the demand for foreign investment in the sector. Those who take medicare services abroad have found the occasion to justify why they had lack of confidence in the local facilities.

However, it is important for the regulators to make sure that the FDI so sought is not a predatory one. Healthcare is a very sensitive sector, especially in a poor countryand as such it is the responsibility of the public sector to provide the service. Quality of service and pricing in commensurate with iitsaffordability to the people need to be considered while giving permission for operating hospitals and other facilities, be it local or foreign.

SB Newton

New Eskaton, Dhaka

[email protected]