The Health Sector Reform Commission released its report on Monday proposing that primary healthcare be recognized as a fundamental constitutional right. The recommendations also include offering free primary healthcare services, allocating 15 percent of the national budget to the health sector, and forming a permanent health commission.
The commission also recommended formation of the Bangladesh Health Service, recruitment of primary care physicians by establishing primary healthcare centres in rural and urban areas, free supply of essential drugs at the primary level and at subsidised prices in other cases, and shutting down substandard medical education institutes.
The report was unveiled at a press conference at Foreign Service Academy in the capital, reports UNB.
Chief of the 12-member Health Sector Reform Commission national professor Dr AK Azad Khan delivered the introductory speech, while commission member Prof Dr Syed Md Akram Hossain unveiled the report.
Other members of the commission Dr Abu Mohammad Zakir Hossain, Prof Dr Liaquat Ali, Prof Dr Syed Md Akram Hossain, Prof Dr Syed Atiqul Haque, Prof Dr Sayera Akther, MM Reza, Dr Azharul Islam, Dr Ahmed Ahsanur Rahman and Omair Afif were present.
Earlier, at 11:00am, the Reform Commission submitted its report to Chief Adviser Professor Dr Muhammad Yunus.
On 17 November 2024, the Health Reform Commission was formed with National Professor and President of the Diabetic Association of Bangladesh Professor Dr AK Azad Khan as its head.
Bd-pratidin English/ Afia