Health Policy Dialogue: Engaging Private Sector to Achieve Universal Health Coverage in Bangladesh

Dhaka, 28 April, 2018 -To undertake policy analysis on emerging health issues in Bangladesh and promote discussions on evidence-informed health policy process for improved health outcomes, a Health Policy Dialogue titled “Engaging Private Sector to Achieve Universal Health Coverage in Bangladesh”, took place on 28 April 2018, at the CIRDAP Auditorium, Dhaka.

This Health Policy Dialogue was organized by the European Union Supported Strengthening Health, Applying Research Evidence (SHARE) project of icddr,b. The objective of this dialogue was to identify policy challenges in the private health sector in Bangladesh, explore practical solutions and influence   developing policy recommendations for future implementation.

Prof. Dr. T.A. Chowdhury, Chief Consultant, BIRDEM presided over the Health Policy Dialogue and Prof. Robaet Ferdous, Department of Mass Communication and Journalism, University of Dhaka moderated the event. Dr. Iqbal Anwar, Scientist and Director of the SHARE project of icddr,b presented the keynote speech at the event; while, Dr. Mushtuq Husain, Co-ordinator, Co-ordination and Support Center. DGHS, Ministry of Health, Government of Bangladesh (GoB) gave his welcome remarks. Mr. Ashadul Islam, Director General (Secretary in Charge), Bangladesh Employees Welfare Board, Ministry of Public Administration, Government of Bangladesh (GoB), delivered the closing remarks.

Health Policy Dialogue- a Think Tank group involving eminent scientists, academicians, development thinkers and civil society members, who have expertise and knowledge in the area of public health, human rights and development issues in Bangladesh was launched in 2017. This Think Tank is engaged in providing policy advice, conducting policy dialogue and commissioning relevant research issues. In order to create supportive policy environment and facilitate trust between the whole population and health service providers, this Think Tank is expected to operate as a platform for bringing together national health experts, policy makers and citizens. 

In his remarks, Prof. Dr. T.A. Chowdhury highlighted formidable challenges of healthcare in private sector in Bangladesh, such as lack of strict government regulation and healthcare policies addressing such issues.  He suggested more focused discussions which should be organized periodically with fruitful participation from relevant stakeholders where people from all walks of life will get to discuss economic policy and political principle which determine health sector.

In the keynote presentation, Dr. Iqbal Anwar gave briefings on informal, formal, for-profit and not-for-profit health sectors in this country, urban health services under local government divisions and private health sector. Dr. Anwar also pinpointed inadequate budget allocation, shortage of human resources, inequality in health service delivery in hard-to-reach areas, prevalence of non-communicable diseases and high out of pocket expenditure of people as key challenges.

 

In his closing remarks, Mr. Ashadul Islam suggested the development of more health-based Think Tanks in this country, which will be actively engaged to identify gaps in health service provision by both public and private sectors. He urged to remove over-politicization of doctor’s associations to get a more efficient and effective health system.  He also asked for giving attention to health citizen charter which is applicable to service both providers and recipients.

Prof. Dr. Abul Kalam Azad, Director General, DGHS, MoHFW, mentioned that the government is working to promote more career development opportunities of government doctors in comparison to other administrative cadres. He shed lights on political pressure on doctors, lack of maintenance of hospital machineries and budget allocation in maintenance, which need to be confronted and overcome through policy and budgetary reformulations.

Representatives from different stakeholder groups including government, private sector, NGOs, development partners, professionals, teachers, students, journalists, mass media and citizen’s group participated in this event and shared their expectations and suggestions for improving health services in Bangladesh.