Govt hospital service hours should be 9am-5pm, Health Reform Commission recommends
Currently, government hospitals operate from 8am to 2pm, six days a week
In an effort to make healthcare more accessible, reduce reliance on private treatment, and lower public health expenditure, Health Sector Reform Commission has recommended extending the operational hours of all government hospitals and healthcare centres from 9am to 5pm, five days a week.
Currently, government hospitals operate from 8am to 2pm, six days a week.
The commission made the recommendations in its report submitted to Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus today (5 May).
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According to the report, the extended hours will apply to outpatient departments, pharmacies, and diagnostic labs. The goal is to allow working individuals to access medical care outside of their own working hours, thereby reducing the need to take leave, easing patient congestion, and enhancing the efficiency and accessibility of public health services.
Citing studies from Kenya and Tanzania, the report highlights that expanding public service hours in those countries led to decreased dependence on private healthcare and better utilisation of existing infrastructure.
The commission stated that implementing this model in Bangladesh will help reduce unnecessary out-of-pocket expenses, improve healthcare quality, and create avenues for sustainable long-term investment in the sector.
Emergency health card
The commission also proposed launching an independent "Emergency Health Card" to ensure rapid healthcare response during pandemics, climate-related disasters, and other crises.
Prescription audits and accountability
To curb unnecessary medication use and ensure better healthcare standards, the commission has recommended mandatory prescription audits across all public and private health facilities and among private practitioners.
The audits will help detect overprescription trends and promote cost-effective, rational use of medicines, the report states.
The results of these audits would be tied to the renewal of medical licenses, funding decisions, payments, and procurement, ensuring stronger accountability in the health system.
The report also suggests implementing a weekly prescription review system and ensuring an average consultation time of 10 minutes per patient.
Free healthcare for the ultra-poor
The commission recommended providing completely free healthcare at public hospitals for the ultra-poor, who represent approximately 20% of the population.
24/7 emergency services and pharmacies
The commission urges that blood banks, laboratories, and pharmacies at all secondary and tertiary public hospitals remain open 24/7 to support uninterrupted emergency care.
A National Pharmacy Network should be established to ensure that 24-hour pharmacies operate across all public hospitals and primary care centers, it said.
Universal access to essential medicines
Essential medicines should be recognised as a basic health right, the report states. These drugs should be provided free or at subsidised rates at the primary healthcare level.
To support this, state-run pharmaceutical production facilities must be modernised, the commission said.
Additionally, the commission suggests removing VAT and duties on anti-cancer, anti-diabetic, anti-hypertensive, and antibiotic drugs, while proposing higher VAT on health supplements, vitamins, minerals, and luxury medications.
