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

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, Chameli House, Topkhana road, Dhaka.

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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 attribute to developing policy recommendations for future implementation.

Health Policy Dialogue- a Think Tank group involving eminent scientists, academics, 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 was engaged in providing policy advice, conducting policy dialogue and commissioning relevant research issues. In order to create supportive policy environment and facilitate trust between mass people and health service providers, this Think Tank is expected to work as platform for bringing together national health experts, policy makers and citizens. 

Prof. Dr. T.A. Chowdhury, Chief Consultant, BIRDEM presided over this 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.

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Constant unavailability of drugs, commodities, facilities and human resources  and overcharging of private health clinics and hospitals have been identified as the major problems in the discussion. Restructuring health system should go through profound changes, so as the erratic capitalist behavioral trends of some health professionals private hospital and clinic owners in Bangladesh.

Discussants have addressed health resources and facilities, especially from the private sector, which are heavily concentrated in urban areas where rural people are facing inaccessibility due to an ever increasing rise in the costs of treatments. Experts referred to constitutional responsibility of Government of Bangladesh in improving health and nutritional status of the people.

This Health Policy Dialogue has demonstrated urgency to improve both the public and private health sectors of Bangladesh. It has fairly addressed the different challenges the Bangladeshi health sector is currently facing. Evidences should be analyzed and disseminated systematically to the appropriate authority to facilitate decision-making, was duly emphasized in the dialogue.