Universal Health Coverage crucial to ensure health equity, rights: Experts
The government is committed to ensuring equitable healthcare access through key reforms, DG of the Health Economics Unit says
Universal health coverage (UHC) is essential to ensuring health equity and protecting citizens' rights in Bangladesh, health experts said at a webinar titled "Universal Health Protection in Bangladesh: Prospects and Actions," organised by the ARK Foundation today (28 October).
Speakers warned that despite progress in rural healthcare, the country continues to face growing challenges due to rapid urbanisation, the rise of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), and an increasing number of urban poor.
Bangladesh also lags behind in the global service coverage index for UHC, underscoring the need for massive reforms, investment in primary healthcare, they added.
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Dr Md Enamul Haque, director general of the Health Economics Unit, was the chief guest at the webinar, held on Zoom. Other panelists included Professor Jahangir Khan of the University of Gothenburg, Dr Md Aminul Hasan, CEO of Quality Care Concern, Advocate Syed Mahbubul Alam Tahin, secretary of the Center for Law and Policy Affairs, and Professor Rumana Haque of the University of Dhaka.
Dr Enamul said 35 ministries have already signed a declaration for multisectoral cooperation to accelerate UHC implementation. The Health Reform Commission has submitted 33 proposals to strengthen UHC, he added.
"The government is committed to ensuring financial protection and equitable access to healthcare through necessary policy and institutional reforms," he said.
Professor Rumana stressed that achieving UHC requires transforming the entire health system rather than taking isolated steps.
"Universal health coverage is not just a matter of financing—it's a holistic reform process. Strengthening primary healthcare, ensuring an effective referral system, and reducing out-of-pocket costs for essential medicines will be key," she said.
She also pointed out gaps in service delivery, including reliance on pharmacies for treatment, gender disparities, and barriers faced by transgender people in accessing healthcare. "These sectors need to improve quickly," she added.
Advocate Mahbubul Alam emphasised that civil society should be actively involved in policymaking, citing tobacco control as an example of successful collaboration between the government and civil society.
Professor Jahangir Khan observed that while Bangladesh has a skilled pool of health professionals, it lacks strong political leadership to turn reform plans into real outcomes.
Dr Aminul cautioned that poverty and inflation—worsened by Covid-19 and the Ukraine war—have made achieving UHC by 2030 "nearly impossible." He called for immediate investment in primary healthcare, workforce development, and digital health infrastructure.
More than 50 participants, including public health experts, tobacco control advocates, and media representatives, attended the event.
