Dhaka:State Minister for Health and Family Welfare Dr. MA Muhit has expressed deep concern over the rising out-of-pocket healthcare costs in Bangladesh, as a recent study reveals a significant increase in household spending on healthcare.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the study, jointly conducted by the Health Economics Unit of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and the World Health Organization (WHO) Bangladesh, highlights that the country's average monthly household spending on healthcare has tripled over the past 17 years until 2022.
The report, which was unveiled at an event in a city hotel, indicates that out-of-pocket payments for healthcare have pushed approximately 11 million people below the national poverty line in 2022. Furthermore, more than 41.7% of Bangladeshis have faced financial hardship due to health spending.
Dr. Muhit, addressing the event as the chief guest, emphasized the government's zero-tolerance policy towards corruption in the health sector, which he noted as a significant contributor to rising healthcare costs. He also expressed concerns about the crisis of public confidence in government hospitals and the reliance on unlicensed pharmacies, which pose serious risks such as antimicrobial resistance.
In response to these challenges, the government is taking steps to modernize health complexes, recruit over 100,000 new health workers, and introduce affordable cancer treatments to reduce financial burdens. Additionally, efforts are underway to strengthen regulatory agencies and enforce quality control in pharmacies and clinics.
The event was attended by notable figures such as Directorate General of Drug Administration Director General Md Alamgir Hossain and WHO Country Representative Dr. Rajesh Narwal. The findings were presented by Dr. Subrata Paul and Dr. Md Touhidul Islam, among others.