Measles outbreak a 'clear signal' of system gaps, experts warn

The Community-led Responsive and Effective Urban Health System (Chorus) programme convened its final dissemination event today (26 April) in Dhaka, bringing together policymakers, health experts, development partners, researchers and media representatives to share key findings and identify priorities for strengthening urban primary healthcare systems in Bangladesh.

Hosted by ARK Foundation at Hotel Sarina, the event titled "Community-led Responsive and Effective Urban Health System (Chorus): What's Next?" highlighted evidence generated through the CHORUS consortium, which operates across Bangladesh, Nepal, Ghana and Nigeria to improve health outcomes for the urban poor.

In her opening remarks, Rumana Huque, executive director of ARK Foundation, underscored the growing vulnerabilities within Bangladesh's urban health system.

She noted that one of the key lessons from CHORUS is that there is no single solution, and that strengthening urban health systems requires a comprehensive approach addressing governance, financing, service delivery, workforce and data systems, while ensuring community voices remain central.

She further said Bangladesh is not alone in facing these challenges, adding that across CHORUS countries, similar patterns of rapid urbanisation, inequities and health systems under pressure are evident, creating opportunities for shared learning and collaboration.

Highlighting the current public health context, she said Bangladesh is facing one of its most significant measles outbreaks in recent years, describing it as a clear signal that gaps in service delivery and system coordination can quickly reverse progress if not addressed.

The event featured presentations by Chorus researchers on strengthening urban primary healthcare, improving financing mechanisms and enhancing service delivery in rapidly urbanising settings.

The chief guest, Nazmul Hosain, director general of the Directorate General of Medical Education (DGME), said those identifying effective pathways for strengthening healthcare should utilise opportunities provided by the current government.

He added that strategic partnerships and purchasing mechanisms, led by autonomous urban authorities such as Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC), along with public-private partnerships and integration of systems like iBAS++, are key to ensuring transparency and integrity in urban health systems.

Md Shafiqul Islam, health adviser at the British High Commission Dhaka, said research findings should be translated into actionable policies, particularly to strengthen integrated primary healthcare.

A panel discussion involving leading health experts and stakeholders explored practical strategies to address urban health challenges, particularly for low-income populations.

The discussion featured Mahmudur Rahman, former director of the Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR); Syed Zakir Hossain, former line director of Noncommunicable Disease Control (NCDC) at the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS); and Mohammad Zahirul Islam, senior health adviser at the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA), Embassy of Sweden, Dhaka.

The session was attended by representatives from government, non-governmental organisations, development partners and media, contributing to a multi-perspective discussion on the future of urban health systems in Bangladesh.

Chorus, a multi-country research consortium, works through key pillars including linking diverse health providers, promoting multisectoral collaboration, addressing both communicable and non-communicable diseases and engaging urban communities.

In Bangladesh, the programme has generated critical evidence to inform policy and strengthen urban primary healthcare systems.

The event concluded with a shared commitment to translate research into action, strengthen collaboration across sectors and support evidence-informed policymaking for urban health.