Strengthening primary health care and good governance are the keys to the progress of universal health coverage in the country, experts said at a policy dialogue on Saturday.
They stressed that achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) will require a clear reform roadmap, strong political commitment, and coordinated action across government, researchers, and development partners.
The experts said these at the dialogue titled “Actionable Priority Agendas for Achieving Universal Health Coverage” held at the CIRDAP Auditorium in the city, jointly organized by the Power and Participation Research Centre (PPRC) and the UHC Forum, with support from UNICEF.
The dialogue brought together policymakers, public health experts, researchers, and civil society representatives to discuss key reform priorities and practical policy actions needed to accelerate Bangladesh’s progress toward UHC.
Hossain Zillur Rahman, Executive Chairman, PPRC & Convener, UHC Forum, moderated the event and presented actionable priority agendas for achieving UHC.
State Minister for Health Dr. M A Muhit addressed the event as the chief guest and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to advancing health sector reforms and strengthening collaboration with research and policy institutions.
He highlighted several priority initiatives, including the planned introduction of an e-health card system, phased recruitment to address vacant positions in the health workforce, and efforts to strengthen public–private partnerships.
“Many of the priorities outlined in our election mandate reflect issues that researchers and policy advocates have long highlighted. As a political party, BNP has increasingly drawn on research and evidence to shape more people-centred policies for health sector reform. If we can truly bring power and participation together, we can move the country toward meaningful improvements in healthcare,” he added.
The importance of continued collaboration between government, researchers, and policy advocates in advancing health sector reforms, Zillur emphasized, adding that “Bangladesh has an extensive primary healthcare structure until union level but with low productivity.”
Dr Md Aminul Hasan, Member Secretary UHC Forum, in his presentation addressed the key issues that are needed for advancing universal health coverage in Bangladesh.
He highlighted countries that successfully progressed toward UHC implemented bold health system reforms with examples of Thailand, UK, Turkiye, Rwanda and others and how they built strong primary health care, strategic health financing, integrated service delivery, governance and accountability.
Prof Dr Abul Kalam Azad, in his presentation, addressed ways to develop a national digital health architecture and its regulation.
He said manpower shortage, including for proper monitoring from the drug administration are key issues that need to be addressed.
Other participants discussed priority reform areas, including strengthening primary healthcare, reducing out-of-pocket health expenditure, addressing workforce and service delivery gaps, and improving the monitoring of progress toward UHC.
They also called for ensuring stronger regulatory oversight of the private healthcare sector and reducing bureaucratic barriers.
