Dhaka: State Minister for Health Dr. MA Muhit today announced that the government has decided to overhaul the country's urban health system. 'Given the reality of the country's rapid urbanisation, it is quite impossible to build a sustainable national health system while keeping urban healthcare outside the mainstream,' he stated.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the government has formulated a policy to integrate urban healthcare directly into the core structure of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. The state minister revealed these plans while speaking as the chief guest at a national consultation held at the CIRDAP auditorium. The event, organized by the CSO Forum, focused on establishing a sustainable SRHR (Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights) ecosystem.
Muhit highlighted that after the country's independence, the urban population was less than 10 percent, leading to a health system that primarily targeted rural areas. However, with approximately 30 percent of the population now residing in urban areas-a figure expected to reach 50 percent by 2050-there is an urgent need to integrate urban healthcare into the national framework.
The state minister noted that urban healthcare services have historically been managed through city corporations, municipalities, and NGOs. While these models offered certain flexibilities, a comprehensive and sustainable framework under government supervision is now being developed.
Discussing the future structure of urban healthcare, Muhit mentioned the joint role of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) and the Directorate General of Family Planning. The latter will have a crucial responsibility in managing sexual and reproductive healthcare services.
Muhit outlined the government's commitment to hiring one lakh new health workers to enhance grassroots-level healthcare delivery. This new workforce will receive integrated training alongside the existing 40,000 workers. Furthermore, 'Community Health and Wellbeing' workers will be equipped with modern diagnostic kits and AI-powered digital apps to provide accurate health advice during door-to-door visits.
The introduction of evening clinic services is under consideration to cater to low-income urban workers. Additionally, plans are underway to ensure healthcare access for the floating urban population and women and children with disabilities. This will include designating specific ward-based catchment areas, with each unit serving a population of 50,000 to 100,000.
The state minister urged for the swift finalisation of a development project proposal to implement the new urban healthcare framework. He emphasized that this initiative aims to establish a people-friendly and inclusive urban health system capable of effectively serving the nation for the next 20 to 30 years.
The event, moderated by Dr. Sayed Rubayet, Country Director of Ipas Bangladesh and Convener of the CSO Forum, also featured remarks from Medical Education and Family Welfare Division Secretary AKM Benjamin Riazi, and Dr. Jinnat Rehana, Director General of the Directorate General of Family Planning.