Dismal health care facilities

In this country, the most important aspect of well-being is also the most neglected. In its 46-year history, successive governments have not made health a priority. It is a woeful fact that discussions around health policy receive little to no space in the agenda of political parties. And while the media tends to report heavily on specific heath-related crises meaningful debate around the causes of abysmal health services is virtually absent.

In the last few decades citizens are being forced to rely heavily on private healthcare, which they avail primarily through out-of-pocket payments. This is in stark contrast not only to the developed West, but also to developing countries such as Thailand and Sri Lanka, where public expenditure accounts for most of health spending. The poor quality of government provided health services in Bangladesh is obviously the major reason behind the large role played by the private sector in healthcare.

Behind the dismal numbers lie heartbreaking stories of lives ruined and cut short due to the unavailability of affordable and quality healthcare. An unhealthy population with severely diminished capabilities cannot substantially contribute to the economy. Health indicators suggest that it is the lack of accessible healthcare one of the greatest adversities facing this country. And although healthcare is certainly linked to problems of corruption and security, there is no reason why healthcare should not be made an immediate priority, rather than placed on the back burner of policy discourse.

The fact that Bangladesh is a developing economy with resource limitations is not an excuse when we look to other low-income countries that have made great strides in healthcare in the last few decades.Whatever allocation of resources to the health sector there is in the country, most of it is through private healthcare providers that serve the interests of those with more money. It is no exaggeration to say that the poor have been left to their own devices.

The fact is government-supported universal healthcare is attainable and affordable, even in low-income countries, so long as it is made a political priority. An informed and activist public can play a crucial role in mobilising public health systems to serve the needs of the population. When healthcare systems are transparent and accountable, citizen advocacy can influence government policy and healthcare governance with positive results.

The people must not accept the state of health as inevitable since this mindset only encourages government complacency and indifference. Instead, the public officials and elected representatives must be pushed to make health the central political issue of our time.

 

Dismal health care facilities

In this country, the most important aspect of well-being is also the most neglected. In its 46-year history, successive governments have not made health a priority. It is a woeful fact that discussions around health policy receive little to no space in the agenda of political parties. And while the media tends to report heavily on specific heath-related crises meaningful debate around the causes of abysmal health services is virtually absent. In the last few decades citizens are being forced to rely heavily on private healthcare, which they avail primarily through out-of-pocket payments. This is in stark contrast not only to the developed West, but also to developing countries such as Thailand and Sri Lanka, where public expenditure accounts for most of health spending. The poor quality of government provided health services in Bangladesh is obviously the major reason behind the large role played by the private sector in healthcare. Behind the dismal numbers lie heartbreaking stories of lives ruined and cut short due to the unavailability of affordable and quality healthcare. An unhealthy population with severely diminished capabilities cannot substantially contribute to the economy. Health indicators suggest that it is the lack of accessible healthcare one of the greatest adversities facing this country. And although healthcare is certainly linked to problems of corruption and security, there is no reason why healthcare should not be made an immediate priority, rather than placed on the back burner of policy discourse. The fact that Bangladesh is a developing economy with resource limitations is not an excuse when we look to other low-income countries that have made great strides in healthcare in the last few decades.Whatever allocation of resources to the health sector there is in the country, most of it is through private healthcare providers that serve the interests of those with more money. It is no exaggeration to say that the poor have been left to their own devices. The fact is government-supported universal healthcare is attainable and affordable, even in low-income countries, so long as it is made a political priority. An informed and activist public can play a crucial role in mobilising public health systems to serve the needs of the population. When healthcare systems are transparent and accountable, citizen advocacy can influence government policy and healthcare governance with positive results. The people must not accept the state of health as inevitable since this mindset only encourages government complacency and indifference. Instead, the public officials and elected representatives must be pushed to make health the central political issue of our time.