United News of Bangladesh

Speakers and participants on Thursday emphasized the importance of research-driven policymaking and stronger partnerships between academic institutions, healthcare practitioners, policymakers, and development organizations.  They said this at a panel discussion titled “Bangladesh Health Budget Dialogue: Priorities, Gaps and Way Forward” organised by the Department of Business Administration, University of Asia Pacific (UAP) in its campus.  They underlined that effective collaboration can generate relevant evidence, support policy reforms, and contribute to building a more resilient and inclusive healthcare system in Bangladesh. The dialogue brought together policymakers, academics, researchers, healthcare experts, development professionals, and students to exchange views on the current state of Bangladesh’s health budget and to explore practical pathways for strengthening the country’s healthcare system through improved financing, governance, and collaboration. Prof. Dr. Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir, Economic Advisor to the Prime Minister, as Chief Guest, emphasized evidence-based policymaking, efficient use of public resources, and increased investment in the health sector to ensure quality healthcare for all. He also highlighted the need for a more equitable and holistic healthcare system with improved services and infrastructure. K. M. Mozibul Hoque, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, UAP, as Guest of Honour, stressed giving higher priority to the health sector in national development and underscored the importance of collaboration among academia, government, industry, and development partners to ensure sustainable and inclusive healthcare financing. Prof. Dr. Mohiuddin Ahmed Bhuiyan, Acting Vice Chancellor, UAP, as Special Guest, emphasized adequate funding for the health sector, improved coordination among healthcare providers, and efficient utilization of allocated resources. He also called for strengthening evidence-based policymaking and continuous policy dialogue to enhance the overall healthcare system. Dr. Rumana Huque, Professor, University of Dhaka, in her keynote presentation, outlined the key challenges in Bangladesh’s health financing system, including resource constraints and service delivery gaps. She offered evidence-based recommendations to improve efficiency, equity, accessibility, and the overall quality of healthcare services in the country. The panel discussion was enriched by the presence of distinguished panelists: Prof. Dr. Md. Selim Reza, Dean (Acting), Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Dhaka; Prof. Dr. Liaquat Ali, Honorary Chief Scientist & Advisor, Pothikrit Institute of Health Studies, Member of the Healthcare Reform Commission; Dr. M. H. Choudhury Lelin, Chairman, Health and Hope Hospital; Dr. Syed Abdul Hamid, Professor, Institute of Health Economics, University of Dhaka; Prof. Dr. Mohammad Shahriar, Dean, School of Pharmacy, UAP; Dr. Shamsad Ahmed, Professor, Department of Business Administration, UAP; and Dr. Nurul Amin Nahid, Additional Commissioner of Taxes, NBR. The session was chaired by Professor Dr. M. A. Baqui Khalily, Dean, School of Business, University of Asia Pacific, and moderated by Dr. Nazma Begum, Professor, Department of Business Administration, UAP. Sarwar R. Chowdhury, Head, Department of Business Administration, UAP, along with faculty members and students, were also present at the program.

Health experts on Wednesday urged the government to ensure sustainable financing and increase budgetary allocation in the upcoming FY2026-27 national budget to strengthen hypertension prevention and treatment services nationwide. The call came at a discussion titled “Prioritising Hypertension Control: Bangladesh Perspective,” organised by research and advocacy organization PROGGA (Knowledge for Progress) with support from Global Health Advocacy Incubator at the BMA Bhaban in Dhaka on Tuesday, marking World Hypertension Day 2026. This year’s global theme is “Controlling Hypertension Together.” Speakers at the event said non-communicable diseases (NCDs) currently account for 71 percent of all deaths in Bangladesh, with hypertension being a major contributing factor. According to the World Health Organization’s 2025 report, around 283,800 people died from cardiovascular diseases in Bangladesh in 2024, and 52 percent of those deaths were linked to hypertension. They noted that although the government has initiated the distribution of free anti-hypertensive medicines at the grassroots level, inadequate financing continues to hamper uninterrupted medicine supply at Community Clinics and Upazila Health Complexes across the country. Dr. Md. Enamul Haque, Director General (Additional Secretary) of the Health Economics Unit, stressed the need for both increased allocation and effective utilisation of the budget for hypertension control. Md. Khorshed Alam, NDC, Managing Director (Additional Secretary) of the Community Clinic Health Support Trust, said the government is working to ensure uninterrupted supply of hypertension medicines at grassroots health facilities. Public health expert Dr. Lelin Choudhury said ensuring free medicine supply at the community level would significantly reduce hypertension-related diseases and deaths. Professor Dr. Malay Kanti Mridha of BRAC James P Grant School of Public Health emphasised the importance of research-based prevention and treatment strategies to effectively control hypertension. Professor Dr. Shafiun Nahin Shimul, Director of the Institute of Health Economics, University of Dhaka, said sustainable financing for hypertension control should be viewed as a long-term investment. Among others, Dr. Geeta Rani Devi of the Directorate General of Health Services, Shamsun Naher Nahid of BIRDEM General Hospital, and ABM Zubair, Executive Director of PROGGA, also spoke at the event.