Acknowledging the negligence and insincerity of some physicians in providing healthcare, Health Secretary Dr Muhammad Anwar Hossain Howlader called for improving hospital environments to increase patient accessibility.
While speaking at the National Conference 2023 on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) as the chief guest at a city hotel on Wednesday, he commented that some physicians in certain hospitals talk and gossip instead of tending to service-seekers.
He stressed the government's obligation to intervene in certain matters to solidify and emphasise SRHR in the country and underscores the importance of research in the health sector.
Describing sexual and reproductive health as a personal right of people, the health secretary said the government is committed to bringing all people under all kinds of healthcare services by 2030.
Many people in the country do not want to receive the required health services as they face persistent financial constraints, according to Dr Muhammad Anwar.
He also stressed the need for the best utilisation of all resources and reducing infrastructure costs to widen and strengthen access to health services.
Joe Goodings, Head of Development Cooperation at the High Commission of Canada in Dhaka, Md Saidur Rahman, Additional Secretary at the Health Service Division (HSD) Admin Wing & World Health (WH) Wing, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, and Md Shafiqul Islam, Director General of the National Institute of Population Research and Training (NIPORT) were present as special guests.
The conference was organised by Advancing Sexual and Reproductive Health (AdSEARCH) by International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (icddr,b) and was attended by over 300 stakeholders, including researchers, policymakers, government officials, representatives from UN agencies, and INGOs.
At the event, the 'Excellence in SRHR Award 2023' was presented to three outstanding individuals in recognition of their lifetime achievements and contributions to the field of SRHR in Bangladesh. The recipients of this award were Professor AHM Touhidul Anowar Chowdhury, National Professor Shahla Khatun, and Dr Halida Hanum Akter.
In addition, seven best abstracts and three innovative concepts were awarded. Attendees also had the opportunity to visit the innovation and evidence hub, where they could learn about new and innovative ideas on SRHR.
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