Health Services for All: Reality, Challenges and Way Forward

Bangladesh NGO's Network for Radio and Communication (BNNRC) organized a Multi-stakeholder Seminar on Promoting Health Services for All: Present Situation, Challenges and Way Forward for an in-depth discussion on health-service issues on 22 September 2021 to ensure quality health services for all with the support of The Asia Foundation at Hotel Nirvana Inn, Sylhet.

The purpose of the seminar was to discuss the current status of the health sector, challenges, and ways to forward with multi-stakeholders at different levels to further enhance the capacity of the health sector and consider how to make healthcare more accessible and utilize the existing resources. Around 40 participants from CSOs, Government offices, representatives from the Anti-Corruption Commission, journalists, teachers, elected representatives, and the representatives of the Civil Society participated in the seminar. 

At the beginning of the seminar, Mr. Al Azad, CEO of Syltv and President of Sylhet District Press Club welcomed all the participants and discussed the aims and objectives of the seminar. Ms. Fauzia Akhter moderated the seminar. Mr. Samir Mahmud, General Secretary of Sylhet District Press Club and Staff Correspondent of Jagonews24.com presented the keynote address at the seminar titled Promoting Health Services for All: Current Situation, Challenges and Way Forward. After the presentation of the keynote, the participants took part in a lively open discussion and provided their various opinions and suggestions on the health issues.

Dr. Naseem Ahmed, Sylhet Private Hospital and Diagnostic Center Owners Association President was present as the special guest and said, "We have faced many problems during the COVID-19 Pandemic." Due to the sudden increase in COVID-19 infection, there have been infrastructural problems in making separate arrangements for infected patients. However, despite the risks, we have been very successful in dealing with COVID-19.”
Mr. Anwar Hossain, Assistant Director, Anti-Corruption Commission Sylhet Office as the special guest, mentioned that the Anti-Corruption Commission has been working relentlessly to rid the country of all public and private sectors including financial and health sectors from corruption. But in this case, everyone's sincere cooperation is needed. If you have any allegation of corruption is an opportunity to complain to the central and branch offices of the commission.

Dr. Himanshu Lal Roy, Sylhet Divisional Director, Health, as the special guest pointed out that the mortality rate of Bangladesh at the time of the COVID-19 pandemic was much less than that of other countries and the condition of Sylhet was comparatively better. All this has been possible with the cooperation of all and due to the timely decision of the government. However, the budget for the health sector needs to be increased and skilled manpower needs to be recruited. There is a shortage of manpower including doctors and skilled technologists. These have to be eliminated and everyone has to follow the health protocols and hygiene rules even after getting the two-dose vaccine.

Mr. Md. Khalilur Rahman, Sylhet Divisional Commissioner as the chief guest of the seminar, said that there would be an opportunity to take action if the information and discussion points on health issues, challenges, and way forward were discussed in today's seminar was published in the form of a report. He said Bangladesh has already made significant progress in the health sector. Under the dynamic and far-sighted leadership of the Hon'ble Prime Minister, we are continuing our relentless efforts to tackle COVID-19. There has been a lot of development in government healthcare and infrastructure, more work is going on, the government's efforts to solve the problem continue. Everyone should follow the health protocols and hygiene rules even after getting the two-dose vaccine.

Mr. Tapas Das Purkayastha, former President of Sylhet District Press Club and Executive Editor of Daily Uttarpurbo, in his speech as the Chair of the Seminar, said that allocation of the health sector in the national budget should be increased. He also called for immediate recruitment of skilled manpower in the vacant posts of doctors, nurses, health workers, and technologists in Sylhet. 

It is hoped that the issues raised in the seminar and the open discussion will be able to play a helpful and effective role in ensuring the provision of quality and quality healthcare to all, especially the disadvantaged and marginalized people.

BNNRC is in Special Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) accredited with World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS), SDGs Media Compact of the United Nations, and UN WSIS prize winner 2016, Champion 2017, 2019, 2020, and 2021. BNNRC’s approach to media development is both knowledge-driven and context-sensitive, and it takes into account the challenges and opportunities created by the rapidly changing media environment in the era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.