Experts stress primary healthcare reform to advance universal health coverage
Desired change is impossible without strong political will.
Health experts and policymakers today (21 January) have emphasised that effective laws, a strong institutional framework, and firm political commitment are needed to help Bangladesh advance towards universal health coverage through primary healthcare reform.
They made the call at a dialogue, "Review of the draft Primary Healthcare Law" at the CIRDAP Auditorium of the capital, marking the first event of the "Bangladesh Road to Universal Health Coverage – New Dialogue Series 2026."
Participants said the proposed law could restore primary healthcare as the foundation of the health system, but noted the lack of constitutionally binding directives for health reform as a major barrier.
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Highlighting the importance of decentralisation and system integration, the discussants warned that reforms will not function without clearly defined institutional roles and stronger coordination between rural and urban healthcare, which are currently run separately.
They also expressed concerns over weak governance, administrative neglect, and the need to align the draft law with existing health laws and recommendations of the "Health Reform Commission."
Pointing out weak budget use in the urban health sector and the lack of an integrated financing framework for rural and urban primary healthcare, the health experts urged policymakers to consider financing and human resource management together.
In his closing remarks, Hossain Zillur Rahman, executive chairman of the Power and Participation Research Centre (PPRC), said it is vital to continue discussions and initiatives on health sector reform.
"Despite notable progress, sustained advocacy and policy revisions are still needed to make primary healthcare reform successful," he said.
The desired change will not be possible without strong political will, dialogue with major political parties, and prioritising health reform in the manifesto of the upcoming election, they opined.
Senior health professionals, policy experts, researchers, and civil society representatives attended the dialogue, jointly organised by the PPRC and the UHC Forum with support from Unicef.
