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Key challenges for our health sector

Published : Tuesday, 5 November, 2024 at 12:00 AM  Count : 351
Dr Mohd Mizanur Rahman
The health sector in Bangladesh faces mounting challenges that demand immediate and comprehensive reform. With a growing population, limited resources, and the persistence of both communicable and non-communicable diseases, it is time to rethink, redesign, and reinvigorate the nation's health policies. Though Bangladesh has made notable progress in some areas, including achieving success in reducing maternal and child mortality, significant gaps remain. To truly serve its people, the healthcare system must evolve to be more equitable, accessible, and resilient. 

This article explores critical reforms that could steer Bangladesh's health sector toward sustainable growth and improved public health outcomes.

Primary healthcare is the backbone of any healthcare system. In Bangladesh, however, access to quality primary care remains a significant challenge, particularly for rural populations. A lack of trained healthcare workers, inadequate infrastructure, and limited resources in rural health centres often force people to seek expensive care in urban areas. Strengthening the primary healthcare system can alleviate pressure on higher-level facilities and provide care closer to where people live.

Invest in primary health facilities and make essential medical equipment, medicines, and personnel available in rural and underserved regions. Address the shortage of doctors, nurses, and health workers by incentivizing medical graduates to work in rural areas and providing specialized training to community health workers. Expand telemedicine services to bridge the healthcare access gap for remote populations, allowing consultations and diagnostic support without physical travel.

Healthcare costs in Bangladesh are predominantly paid out-of-pocket, which creates a financial barrier for millions of families. Many impoverished households are pushed further into poverty when faced with unexpected medical expenses. A national health insurance scheme would enable people to access necessary healthcare without bearing devastating financial costs.

Design an insurance scheme with premiums subsidized for low-income households, providing essential health coverage to all citizens. Collaborate with private insurers to ensure adequate coverage across the board, potentially targeting various income levels with specific plans.

Deploy community health workers to conduct screenings and health education sessions at the local level to identify and address health issues early. Bangladesh's healthcare research infrastructure remains underdeveloped. Investing in research is crucial to understanding the unique health challenges faced by the population, developing local solutions, and implementing evidence-based policies. Health research can drive innovation and provide insights that improve health outcomes. Allocate funds specifically for healthcare research, focusing on areas like tropical diseases, nutrition, and healthcare delivery.

Encourage universities and medical institutions to collaborate on health research projects, particularly those that address local health concerns. Use data and research findings to shape healthcare policies and practices that are responsive to the needs of the population.

The effectiveness of any health system hinges on strong governance and transparent policies. Bangladesh must address the governance challenges within its health sector, including issues of corruption, mismanagement, and inefficiency, which drain resources and compromise care quality.

Implement stringent anti-corruption policies within the health sector, ensuring accountability at all levels of administration.

Develop a coherent, long-term health policy that remains consistent across political cycles, emphasizing transparency in decision-making. Engage communities in health policy discussions, fostering a culture of accountability and trust in public health initiatives. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the vulnerability of Bangladesh's healthcare system in responding to large-scale health crises. Strengthening emergency preparedness and response capacities is essential for future resilience, enabling the country to effectively manage pandemics, natural disasters, and other emergencies.

Develop comprehensive preparedness and response plans for various emergencies, ensuring resources and protocols are in place. Establish stockpiles of critical medical supplies, such as personal protective equipment (PPE), medicines, and emergency kits. Provide crisis management and emergency response training for healthcare professionals, ensuring readiness for future challenges.

The road to a healthier Bangladesh lies in decisive, targeted reforms that address the critical weaknesses within the health sector. By focusing on primary healthcare, financial protection, infrastructure development, workforce expansion, preventive health, research, good governance, and resilience, Bangladesh can build a health system that meets the needs of its people and ensures equitable access to quality healthcare. As the country progresses, a reformed and resilient healthcare system will serve as a cornerstone of national development, fostering a healthy and prosperous future for all Bangladeshis.

The writer is Vision Scientist & Researcher, and Assistant Professor & Research Fellow, Management and science university, Malaysia



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