FE REPORT
Strengthening primary healthcare and improving governance will be crucial for Bangladesh to achieve universal health coverage (UHC), experts said at a policy dialogue in Dhaka on Saturday.
They stressed that while the country has made progress in expanding health services, achieving UHC will require a clear reform roadmap, strong political commitment and coordinated action among govt agencies, researchers and development partners.
The observations came at a dialogue titled "Actionable Priority Agendas for Achieving Universal Health Coverage" held at the CIRDAP Auditorium in the city.
The event was jointly organised by the Power and Participation Research Centre (PPRC) and the UHC Forum with support from UNICEF.
The dialogue brought together policymakers, public health experts, researchers and civil society representatives to discuss reform priorities and practical policy actions needed to accelerate Bangladesh's progress towards UHC.
Hossain Zillur Rahman, PPRC Executive Chairman and convener of the UHC Forum, moderated the session and presented a set of actionable priority agendas for achieving universal health coverage.
Addressing the event as chief guest, State Minister for Health Dr M A Muhit reaffirmed the govt's commitment to advancing health sector reforms and strengthening collaboration with research and policy institutions.
He highlighted several priority initiatives, including plans to introduce an e-health card system, phased recruitment to address vacancies in the health workforce and efforts to strengthen public-private partnerships in healthcare delivery.
"Many of the priorities outlined in our election mandate reflect issues that researchers and policy advocates have long highlighted," he said.
"As a political party, the BNP has increasingly drawn on research and evidence to shape more people-centred policies for health sector reform. If we can truly bring power and participation together, we can move the country toward meaningful improvements in healthcare."
He noted that Bangladesh already has an extensive primary healthcare network extending to the union level but that its productivity remains low.
Dr Md Aminul Hasan, Member Secretary of the UHC Forum, highlighted key priorities needed to advance universal health coverage in Bangladesh.
He noted that these countries achieved success through bold health system reforms, including strong primary healthcare systems, strategic health financing, integrated service delivery and improved governance and accountability.
Prof Dr Abul Kalam Azad discussed the development of a national digital health architecture and the need for effective regulation.
He pointed out that manpower shortages, including limited monitoring capacity within the drug administration, remain major challenges.
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