Bangladesh committed to achieving universal health coverage by 2030: Health Minister
Staff Correspondent
Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md. Sakhawat Hossain said on Wednesday that Bangladesh is firmly committed to achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) by the year 2030.
He emphasized that the government is actively working to ensure essential healthcare services for every citizen, regardless of their geographical location or social status.
The Minister made these remarks while addressing the 1st BIMSTEC Health Ministers' Conference held in Colombo, the capital of Sri Lanka. The conference brought together health ministers, policymakers, and experts from BIMSTEC member states.
Highlighting the country's achievements, the Health Minister noted that Bangladesh has made remarkable progress across various key health indicators, including reducing maternal and neonatal mortality rates, maintaining polio-free status, and successfully implementing immunization programs.
The Minister shared that under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, the government has doubled the health sector budget to 1.01% of GDP, with plans to incrementally raise it to 5% of GDP.
To strengthen primary care, the Minister announced an initiative to launch primary health centers across more than 4,600 unions nationwide, staffed by multipurpose health workers. Furthermore, Upazila Health Complexes are being upgraded from 50 to 151 beds this year.
To reinforce regional health security, the Health Minister proposed establishing a BIMSTEC Regional Genetic Disease Observatory and Early Warning System.
