Staff Reporter:
Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Husain yesterday said Bangladesh is firmly committed to achieving the universal health coverage (UHC) by 2030.
“The government is working to ensure essential healthcare services for every person in the country, irrespective of geographical location and social status,” he said.
The minister made the remarks while addressing the first BIMSTEC Health Ministers’ Conference in Colombo, the capital of Sri Lanka, said a press release here.
Health ministers, policymakers and experts from the BIMSTEC member countries attended the maiden conference.
Sakhawat said Bangladesh has made significant progress in various health indicators, including reducing maternal and neonatal mortality, maintaining polio-free status and implementing immunization programs.
Following the formation of the new government, coverage of the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination program against cervical cancer had been increased from 2 percent to more than 85 percent, he said.
Efforts are underway to achieve 100 percent coverage by the end of November this year, he added.
The minister said the government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, has doubled the health sector budget, raising it to 1.01 percent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
There are plans to gradually increase the allocation to 5 percent of GDP, he added.
At the same time, Sakhawat said, the government is prioritizing strengthening preventive healthcare, expanding primary healthcare services and raising public awareness.
He said initiatives have been taken to establish primary healthcare centers in more than 4,600 unions across the country, staffed by multidisciplinary health workers.
This year, upazila health complexes are being upgraded from 50 beds to 151 beds, the minister said.
“In addition, initiatives are underway to introduce solar power systems at major government healthcare facilities, establish advanced medical waste management systems at 15 major hospitals and implement the One Health approach,” he added.
Sakhawat also highlighted initiatives to introduce an integrated electronic health record system and unique e-Health IDs as part of the digital transformation of healthcare services.
To strengthen regional health security, he proposed establishing a BIMSTEC Regional Genetic Disease Observatory and Early Warning System under the regional organization.
In his address, the minister said regional cooperation is crucial in addressing non-communicable diseases, climate change-related health risks, antimicrobial resistance and pandemics.
“Bangladesh is ready to work collectively with BIMSTEC member countries to address these challenges through mutual cooperation, innovation and the exchange of experiences,” Sakhawat said.
