Public health experts on Sunday underscored the critical need to expand preventive healthcare services to tackle malnutrition and reduce poverty.
They stressed that effective and sustainable healthcare management is essential to ensure the success of these efforts.
The experts also noted that the financial burden of healthcare expenses remains one of the major barriers to poverty alleviation.
These views were expressed at a discussion titled “What to Do for Sustainable Health and Nutrition Development,” held at the PKSF building in the capital.
The event brought together national-level public health experts, members of the Health Sector Reform Commission, executive directors of partner organisations, and senior officials of PKSF.
Speaking at the event, PKSF Managing Director Md. Fazlul Quader said that PKSF prioritises poverty alleviation and sustainable post-poverty development through income growth.
However, he said, the high out-of-pocket expenses for medical treatment are significantly eroding people’s income.
“To address this challenge, it is crucial to expand preventive healthcare services nationwide. PKSF plans to reorganise preventive healthcare initiatives based on experiences from previous projects and programs, and today’s discussion is a step towards that goal.”
Dr. Ahmed Ehsanur Rahman, a member of the Health Sector Reform Commission, emphasised the need for political commitment to healthcare.
“Primary healthcare is a fundamental right. The government must ensure this right by enacting clear laws outlining the state’s role in healthcare provision,” he said.
Professor Dr. Syed Abdul Hamid from the Institute of Health Economics at the University of Dhaka highlighted alarming public health trends.
“We are seeing breast cancer in three-year-old children and diabetes in individuals aged 30-35. Unhealthy eating habits, poor lifestyles, and drug abuse are major contributors. School-based awareness campaigns are essential for fostering a health-friendly society,” he said.
Dr. Khairul Islam, regional director of WaterAid, pointed out that disease-induced disasters continue to drive the poor back into poverty.
“In Bangladesh, the out-of-pocket healthcare expenditure rate stands at 73 percent — a significant obstacle to poverty alleviation,” he added.
Dr. Mohammad Abdus Sabur, president of Ad-Din Welfare Center, stated that preventive healthcare can be established through proper lifestyle practices, healthy work environments, and eco-friendly housing, which would reduce the risk of catastrophic diseases.
The meeting also reviewed the progress, successes, and challenges of PKSF’s various health and nutrition initiatives. During the open discussion and Q&A session, participants shared practical recommendations based on their field experiences.
Other speakers included Dr. S. K. Roy, president of the Bangladesh Breastfeeding Foundation; Zaheda Fizza Kabir, CEO of the Sajeda Foundation; and Mifta Naeem Huda, Executive Director of the Center for Development Innovation and Practices (CDP).