Medical Services
Interim govt seeks to rationalise health sector funding in ADP
Aiming to bring discipline in the health sector, the government has taken a move to rationalise the budget allocation for development projects in the coming days.
According to the planning ministry sources, decision has been taken to improve the medical services across the country through appointing skilled manpower for running the existing machineries and give priority for budget allocation to prepare skilled manpower for the these machineries.
“There is huge indiscipline in the health sector, if we want to increase allocation we have to put it on a proper way,” Planning Adviser Dr Wahiduddin Mahmud told a recent briefing at ECNEC.
According to the adviser, there are many expensive machines in many district level health centres, but these are not in service.
“If we want to spend, then we have to see whether there is any skilled health workers or technicians,” he told.
He also mentioned that giving allocation and the purpose of allocation is different thing.
The sources in planning ministry and health ministry said during the Awami League regime the budget allocation for the health sector was good, but not up to the mark.
But due to the irregularities and corruption mass people failed to get proper services from the public hospitals, he said.
The National Economic Council (NEC) approved the Annual Development Programme (ADP) for the fiscal year of 2024-2025 with an outlay of Tk 265,000 crores.
The total allocation against the top 10 sectors is some Tk 242,093 crore (90.25pc of the total ADP).
According to the new ADP for FY25, the highest 10 allocation recipient ministries and divisions are Local Government Division with some Tk 38,809 crore (15pc of allocation), Road Transport and Highways Division with Tk 32,042 crore (12.39pc), Power Division with Tk 29,177 crore (11.28pc), Primary and Mass Education Ministry with Tk 16,136 crore (6.24pc), Health Services Division with Tk 13,741 crore (5.31pc ), Railways Ministry with Tk 13,726 crore (5.31pc), Science and Technology Ministry with Tk 12,887 crore (4.98pc), Secondary and Higher Education Division with Tk 11,388 crore (4.40pc), Shipping Ministry with Tk 10,373 crore (4.01pc) and Water Resources Ministry with Tk 8, 687 crore (3.36pc).
The total allocation against the 10 ministries or divisions is around Tk 186,965 crore, which is some 72 percent of the overall ADP outlay.
Read: Govt forms reform commissions on labour, health sector
But the healthcare sector in Bangladesh remains in a precarious state, plagued by systemic challenges that hinder the delivery of quality medical services to its citizens.
Despite notable economic growth and advancements in other areas, the country’s health system continues to grapple with inadequacies in infrastructure, staffing, and resource allocation, leaving millions vulnerable to preventable diseases and inadequate care.
One of the most pressing issues is the severe shortage of healthcare facilities and professionals.
According to recent statistics, there is only one doctor for every 1,800 people in Bangladesh, far below the World Health Organization’s recommended ratio of one doctor per 1,000 individuals.
This scarcity is compounded by an uneven distribution of healthcare services, with rural areas bearing the brunt of neglect. While urban centers have access to better-equipped hospitals, rural clinics often lack basic amenities, trained staff, and essential medicines.
The lack of funding in the public health sector exacerbates the crisis. Bangladesh allocates less than 1% of its GDP to healthcare, one of the lowest in the world.
This chronic underfunding has led to dilapidated facilities, outdated medical equipment, and insufficient resources to meet growing demands.
Patients are frequently forced to turn to private healthcare, which is prohibitively expensive for the majority of the population, pushing many into financial distress.
Moreover, corruption and mismanagement within the healthcare system undermine efforts to improve service delivery.
Reports of embezzlement of funds and irregularities in the procurement of medical supplies are not uncommon, further eroding public trust in the system.
The COVID-19 pandemic exposed the fragility of the healthcare infrastructure, revealing critical gaps in emergency response mechanisms, testing facilities, and intensive care units. While the government has made efforts to address these shortcomings, progress remains slow, and systemic issues persist.
Read more: Health sector sees a little uplift in the new budget proposals
To address these challenges, health sector insiders said that comprehensive reform is urgently needed.
This includes increasing healthcare funding, improving training programs for medical professionals, and prioritizing equitable access to quality services.
Additionally, stronger governance and accountability measures must be implemented to curb corruption and ensure resources reach those who need them most.
“Without decisive action, the health sector’s current state will continue to impede the country’s development and compromise the well-being of its people. A robust and equitable healthcare system is not just a necessity—it is a fundamental right that must be upheld for all citizens,” said a physician who works for a district level hospital.
1 month ago
Attack on doctor: Medical services at Khulna hospitals hampered as physicians go on 24hr work abstention
Medical services at all government and private hospitals in Khulna district have been hampered since this morning as doctors went on a 24-hour work abstention protesting the attack on a fellow physician.
The doctors at outpatient departments of government hospitals and at private hospitals went on work abstention from 6 am today and will continue till 6 am tomorrow.
On February 25, Dr Sheikh Nishat Abdullah, head of Burn and Plastic Surgery Department of Shaheed Sheikh Abu Naser Specialized Hospital was physically assaulted, allegedly by a patient’s relatives including Assistant Sub-inspector Naim posted in Satkhira district police, at a nursing home in Sheikhpara of Khulna city during surgery.
Protesting the attack, Bangladesh Medical Association (BMA), Khulna decided to observe 24-hour work abstention from this morning to Thursday morning.
Also read: Workers of 8 municipalities go on work abstention; services halted in Natore
Dr Sheikh Baharul Alam, president of BMA Khulna unit, announced the work abstention programme while speaking at a press briefing at Kazi Azharul Haque Auditorium on Tuesday.
While reading out the statement, Dr Baharul also demanded the arrest of the attackers.
1 year ago
Staff crunch leaves Sonagazi Health Complex in shamble; patients suffer
Sonagazi Health Complex, the lone medical centre for about five lakh people of the upazila in Feni district, is unable to provide proper medical services due to its manpower crunch and crumbling infrastructures.
Although the health complex was upgraded to a 50-bed one from a 31-bed one in 2014, its manpower, infrastructures and equipment remained unchanged.
According to sources at the hospital, the ceiling plasters of the hospital’s administrative building keep falling off regularly as it was built in 1977.
Read: BGMEA continues supporting Covid dedicated hospitals
Patients are provided medical services in shabby structures as people from nine unions and one municipality of the upazila visit it for treatment.
The medical services of its emergency unit and women's and children's wards are carried out on the ground floor of the two-storey building due to the space crisis.
Its physicians and staff are working with a sense of insecurity as plasters are falling off from its ceilings, while its walls and pillars have developed cracks and most of its doors and windows got broken.
Read Covid-19 in Bangladesh: Big medical bills making many people paupers
Sadequl Karim, a doctor at its emergency unit, said the hospital needs to be renovated or it should have a new building to offer better medical services to the residents of the unpazila.
“One of the major problems this hospital faces is the shortage of doctors and other staff. Everybody is overworked,” he bemoaned.
This hospital, he says, sees a footfall of 250-300 patients in its outdoor section on average every day while 60-70 get admitted to the hospital a day. But they have to stay on the floor due to a serious bed crisis, Karima added.
Read Photos showing how hospitals in Bangladesh struggling with dengue patients amid covid surge
3 years ago
People in Magura lose hope over district medical services
People of Magura have lost hope of getting proper health services in the district. As a result, serious patients are taken to Faridpur or Jashore for treatment.
In three upazilas, there are three 50-bed upazila health complexes but the services are not up to the mark.
Even patients at Magura Medical College Hospital (MMCH) at the Sadar upazila are not getting proper treatment.
In 2017, to meet the demand of increasing patients in the district 100-bed MMCH was upgraded with 250 beds and advanced equipment. A manager was also appointed.
But its services have not developed over the years.
Though the hospital has ICU ward, ventilators and central oxygen system but coronavirus affected patients are not getting the minimum treatment facility they need.
The ICU ward, ventilators and central oxygen system- all were seen locked up.
Besides, the scarcity of staff and doctors have made the treatment quality even poorer.
There are allegations that doctors transferred to MMCH often go elsewhere (district) over lobbying.
District Civil Surgeon Dr. Shahidullah Dewan said about the manpower crisis in the hospital.
He also said that steps were being taken to solve this problem.
The people of Magura district hope the authority will take necessary steps in developing the quality of medical services, during this pandemic.
3 years ago
DNCC launches Covid-19 telemedicine service at 5 maternity centres Friday
Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) will launch Covid-19 telemedicine services from early Friday at its five maternity centres to provide 24/7 medical services and novel coronavirus-related information.
To provide twenty-four-hour service in each maternity centre, three doctors will be available on a rotation basis. The service will continue until further notice.
Also read: Covid-19: Telemedicine service launched for govt officials
The maternity centres are run under DNCC's Urban Primary Healthcare Services Delivery Project in Moghbazar, Mohammadpur, Mirpur-1, Pallabi, and Uttara.
Also read: Coronavirus: One lakh RMG workers to get free telemedicine service
3 years ago
Govt plans to spend billions on healthcare coverage
The government has planned to spend Tk 935.81 billion up to 2022-23 fiscal year starting from the current one for the heath sector development as it is committed to taking healthcare facilities to the doorsteps of people.
4 years ago
Health system collapsed: Fakhrul
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Sunday alleged that people are being deprived of medical services as the country’s health sector has collapsed due to corruption by the "government".
4 years ago
Provide quality medical services to marginal people: Minister
Agriculture Minister Abdur Razzaque on Sunday urged medical students to provide quality medical services to the marginal people with honesty and patriotism.
5 years ago