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BNP proposes NHS-style universal health system for Bangladesh

February 05, 2025 00:00:00


The BNP has unveiled an outline for national health- sector reforms, aiming to establish a universal health system based on UK's National Health Service (NHS) model.

BNP Standing Committee member and former Health Minister Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain presented the BNP's various short, medium and long-term proposals on Tuesday, to address the challenges faced by the health sector and carry out necessary reforms for its development, reports UNB.

"Just as quality healthcare for the marginalised population has not been ensured, so too has medical education not been planned effectively in Bangladesh," he said.

The BNP leader said the country's healthcare system has failed to compete regionally or internationally, prompting many people to seek medical treatment abroad.

He also said the private healthcare system in the country has not yet become universally accessible to all citizens.

Mosharraf said healthcare should be recognised as a fundamental right for all and the current systems have not achieved the expected level of social equity in healthcare access.

In light of universal health coverage, he said BNP has proposed health sector reform in section 26 of its 31-point outline for restructuring the state.

According to this section, Mosharraf said BNP, based on the policy of "health for all," will take steps to ensure the right to free healthcare for everyone in line with the existing system of a developed welfare state.

"All necessary steps will be taken to ensure the highest level of healthcare for all, in line with the National Health Service of the United Kingdom or national Universal Health Coverage," he said.

If their party returns to power, the BNP leader said, they will expand the social safety nets for disadvantaged populations until poverty is eradicated and the national budget allocation for health will be no less than 5% of GDP.


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