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Speakers at a debate programme on Thursday emphasised on establishing a universal regulatory body for the health sector to standardise pricing, enforce quality accreditation, and establish a grievance mechanism for the patients.
They also stressed the need for addressing high out-of-pocket healthcare expenses by distinguishing between actual medical costs and unethical commercial motives.
The Power and Participation Research Centre (PPRC) in association with UNICEF organised the event at the CIRDAP auditorium as part of the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) Forum's flagship debate series.
Government officials, healthcare professionals, private sector representatives, and development partners took part in the programme, chaired and moderated by PPRC Chairman and UHC Forum Convener Hossain Zillur Rahman.
Stakeholders highlighted the importance of leveraging data for ensuring accountability, efficiency, and services expansion in the healthcare system.
The private healthcare sector is often misunderstood as it includes not only the for-profit entities but also social business models, NGOs, and informal providers, they said.
They called for introducing an accreditation system for hospitals, doctors, and laboratories to ensure services quality, facilitate data sharing, and strengthen public-private partnerships.
They underscored the need for a comprehensive health law and a central regulatory authority, such as a Health Commission or a health security office, to oversee private sector engagement.
Participants agreed that healthcare demands have evolved beyond access to include affordability and quality.
Concerns were raised over the high financial burden on patients and the need to assess how much of this cost stems from medical services versus unethical pricing practices.
The debate also highlighted a contradiction between public expectations for better healthcare and the country's inadequate health financing.
To enhance private-public collaboration, participants explored models where public hospitals partner with private providers for service delivery and equipment procurement.
The need for improved self-governance in private healthcare was also emphasized, particularly regarding medical education standards and service quality.
Additionally, the workshop highlighted the role of digital healthcare solutions in driving efficiency and accessibility.
PPRC Chairman Hossain Zillur Rahman concluded the discussion by urging all stakeholders to move beyond blame and focus on fostering productive collaboration between the public and private sectors.
He stressed that incentivising private sector participation in primary healthcare and health promotion should be a priority.
Given the aspirations sparked by the popular uprising of July-August 2024, he called for concerted and coordinated efforts to make healthcare a compelling national agenda with actionable policy measures.
The key discussion points and recommendations will be shared with the Health Reform Commission for further deliberation.
Among others, Professor Liaquat Ali of Health Reform Commission, Dr AM Shamim, Managing Director of Labaid, Dr. Lutfor Rahman, Chief Medical Planner, Grameen Telecom Trust, Prof. Dr. Emran Bin Yunus, Neurologist and Director, CSCR, Chittagong, Dr. Md. Moinul Ahsan, Director (Hospital), DGHS, Prof. Dr Abul Kalam Azad, Former DG-Health, Dr Md. Aminul Hasan, UHC Forum, Dr. Shaila Purvin, CEO, Surjer Hashi Network, Md. Zainal Abedin Tito, Line Director (HSM), DGHS, Dr Manzur Kadir Ahmed, Senior Director, Gonoshasthaya Kendra, Shadab Mahmud, Sensiv Diagnostics Lab, Prof Khondaker A Mamun, CMED Health, Dr Iqbal Anwar, ICDDR,B, Mohan Raihan, Saaol Heart Centre, Dr. Atiya Sharmeen, MSF, Dr. Aftabuddin, Chairperson, PHF, Nahid Akhter Jahan, IHE, DU, Maya Vandecent, UNICEF.
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