Dhaka: Speakers at a seminar emphasized that enhancing coordination between the public and private sectors, alongside greater public engagement, is crucial for the overall improvement of the health sector in Bangladesh.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the observation was made at a seminar titled ‘Strengthening Confidence in the Healthcare System in Bangladesh: A Strategy for Quality Assurance,’ organized by the Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) at the DCCI Auditorium. National Prof. A K Azad Khan, President of the Diabetic Association of Bangladesh, attended as the chief guest.
The speakers noted that Bangladesh’s healthcare sector has yet to achieve the desired level of development, citing factors such as only 1% of GDP allocation, inadequate infrastructure, slow adoption of new technologies, a shortage of skilled human resources, high healthcare costs, management inefficiencies, and weak monitoring of existing policies.
National Prof. A K Azad Khan acknowledged several achievements in the healthcare sector but noted that the desired quality is still unmet. He called for stronger government involvement to attain the desired development. Prof. Khan observed that healthcare quality in Bangladesh lags behind developed countries and neighboring nations. While establishing universal healthcare is not feasible at present, he stressed implementing primary healthcare and emphasized that decentralization is crucial for the sector’s betterment.
He also highlighted the need to expand digital healthcare to improve rural access, modernize medical education curricula, and create a conducive environment for medical research.
In his welcome remarks, DCCI President Taskeen Ahmed pointed out persistent structural gaps in ensuring quality and patient-friendly healthcare services in the country. He highlighted disparities in service quality between public and private sector hospitals, shortages of skilled manpower, the rise of unauthorized clinics and pharmacies, weak regulatory oversight, limited use of modern technologies, and ineffective implementation of existing laws, which continue to erode public health security and trust, as stated in a DCCI press release.
Taskeen noted that due to the absence of an effective health insurance mechanism, individuals bear nearly 74% of total healthcare expenditures, posing serious financial risks for low- and middle-income groups. To ensure a sustainable healthcare system, he stressed the need for foreign investment, strengthened public-private partnerships, adoption of modern medical technologies, development of skilled professionals, effective policy implementation, and efficient management. He emphasized establishing a strong health regulatory framework to ensure a health-friendly environment for all.
In his keynote speech, Malik Talha Ismail Bari, Managing Director and CEO of United Hospital Limited and Former Senior Vice President of DCCI, stated that the government’s per capita annual health expenditure is Taka 1,070.nearly 49% of the population is deprived of quality healthcare services. He added that while the sector’s current market size is approximately US$14 billion, it is projected to reach US$23 billion by 2033.
Bari identified low budget allocation, inefficient management, urban-rural disparities in healthcare access, service quality gaps, public trust issues, skilled health professional shortages, rising healthcare costs, inadequate infrastructure, and weak regulatory systems as major challenges. He noted that a significant portion of the population seeks medical treatment abroad, resulting in an annual outflow of nearly US$5 billion.
To improve the situation, he emphasized the need to attract local and foreign investment, simplify access to financing, strengthen infrastructure, ensure modern technology adoption, enhance human resource capacity, and update policies to meet current needs.
The seminar also featured contributions from Professor Syed Atiqul Haq, Chief Consultant at Green Life Center for Rheumatic Care and Research; Priti Chakraborty, Chairman of Universal Medical College and Hospital; Dr. Shafiun Nahin Shimul, Professor and Director at the Institute of Health Economics, University of Dhaka; Dr. Md. Zakir Hossain, Secretary General of Bangladesh Association of Pharmaceutical Industries; Dr. Md. Mustafizur Rahman, Senior Scientist at the Infectious Diseases Division of icddr,b; Dr. Fida Mehran, Health Systems Specialist at UNICEF Bangladesh; and Dr. Murad Sultan, National Professional Officer of Patient Safety and Blood Safety at WHO.
During the open floor discussion, DCCI Senior Vice President Haider Ahmed Khan, former Director Alhaj Mohammad Sarfuddin, Professor Dr. Billal Hossain of the University of Dhaka, and Ishtiaq Ahmed, Proprietor of Mega Health Care, also shared their insights. DCCI Vice President Md. Salem Sulaiman, members of the Board of Directors, and stakeholders from government and private sectors were present at the seminar.