Members of the Health Sector Reform Commission have requested to increase the budget for the health sector to strengthen and implement primary healthcare across the country.

Led by the commission’s chief, Professor Dr AK Azad Khan, they met with Health Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Hossain today and formally placed the request.

The meeting was held at the conference room of the health ministry in the Secretariat.

During the meeting, detailed discussions were held on the implementation of the Health Sector Reform Commission's report.

The commission members emphasised that building a strong primary healthcare system would significantly reduce the burden of disease, treatment costs, and excessive pressure on tertiary-level hospitals.

They expressed their readiness to extend full cooperation in the future to ensure the improvement, accountability, safety, and people-centred delivery of healthcare services in the country.

The minister expressed optimism and assured them that the government would take initiatives to implement their recommendations in a phased manner.

The delegation included Chairman of the Department of Clinical Oncology at Bangladesh Medical University Professor Syed Akram Hossain, Dr Mohammad Zakir Hossain, Professor Dr Liaquat Ali, MM Reza, and Dr Azaharul Islam.

The Health Sector Reform Commission was formed during the tenure of the interim government, which subsequently submitted its recommendations to the government.