Experts urge swift implementation of Health Reform Commission's recommendations

Experts have emphasised the urgent need to convert the Health Reform Commission's recommendations into a focused and inclusive action agenda that addresses ground realities and public expectations. 

The call to action was made during a high-level consultation jointly organised by the Power and Participation Research Centre (PPRC), the UHC Forum, and Unicef in Dhaka. The session was chaired and moderated by Hossain Zillur Rahman, executive chairman of PPRC and convener of the UHC Forum.

Participants at the event acknowledged that while the Health Reform Commission report represents a significant milestone, the time has come to transition from vision to execution. 

Key challenges identified include institutional ambiguity, lack of implementation readiness, and the urgent need for sharper prioritisation to avoid losing the momentum for reform.

A recurring concern was the disconnect between citizen expectations, particularly regarding maternal dignity, emergency services, and primary healthcare, and the limitations of the current health service delivery system. 

While the report contains a wide array of proposals, speakers noted the absence of a clear results framework, baseline data, and defined milestones to support time-bound progress.

Digital innovations such as e-prescriptions and GPS-enabled ambulance systems were identified as potential solutions, however, experts stressed the need for these to be part of a broader culture of accountability, integration, and inclusivity.

Aligning recommendations with realistic financing strategies was another key theme. Suggestions included the establishment of a Bangladesh Health Commission and the development of a unified health service architecture. 

Emphasis was also placed on gender-responsive reforms, including better referral systems, specialised facilities, and improved access to menstrual and reproductive health services for women in remote areas.

In his closing remarks, Hossain Zillur cautioned against viewing the report as a final product. 

"In a country like ours, nothing is linear. We must see the post-report phase as part of a democratic process," he said. 

He emphasised the need for social validation and collective ownership, urging the commission and civil society to collaboratively formulate a Priority Action Agenda for 2025. 

At the programme, legal recognition of primary healthcare as a constitutional right, as recommended by the commission, was also identified as a critical step forward by the participants.