Staff Reporter :
The government has established five reform commissions to address critical issues and promote comprehensive development in the country, according to separate summary documents issued on Sunday by the Cabinet Division.
Each commission has been instructed to commence its activities immediately and submit a detailed report to Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus within 90 days.
Healthcare Reform Commission
The Healthcare Reform Commission, led by Prof AK Azad Khan, President of the Bangladesh Diabetic Society, aims to ensure universal access to healthcare.
The commission will devise actionable strategies to address systemic gaps and challenges in the health sector. Other members include Professor Mohammad Jakir Hossain, a public health and health informatics specialist at BSMMU; Professor Liyakot Ali, Chairman of the Pothikrit Foundation; Professor Sayeba Akter, a gynaecologist; Professor Nayela Zaman Khan from the Department of Paediatric Neuroscience; MM Reza, a former secretary; Professor Mozaherul Haque, WHO Southeast Asia Regional Adviser; Azharul Islam from icddr,b; Professor Syed Md Akram Hussain from Square Cancer Centre; Professor Syed Atikul Haque, Chief Consultant at Green Life Centre for Rheumatic Care and Research; Ahmed Ahsanul Rahman, a scientist in the Child and Maternal Health Department at icddr,b; and Umayer Afif, a fifth-year student at Dhaka Medical College.
Labour Reform Commission
To safeguard workers’ rights and promote their welfare, the government has constituted a Labour Reform Commission, headed by Syed Sultan Uddin Ahmed, Executive Director of the Bangladesh Institute of Labour Studies. The commission will engage with stakeholders to draft a report prioritising labour rights and prosperity.
Media Reform Commission
In the media sector, an 11-member Media Reform Commission has been established, headed by senior journalist Kamal Ahmed. The commission is expected to propose recommendations to improve media practices and ensure press freedom.
Local Government Reform Commission
A Local Government Reform Commission, led by Tofail Ahmed, a former Chair of the Public Administration Department at Chittagong University, has been tasked with enhancing the effectiveness of local governance structures. The eight-member body will develop measures to empower local governments and increase their accountability.
Women’s Affairs Reform Commission
The government has formed the Women’s Affairs Reform Commission, appointing Shireen Parveen Haque, a founding member of Nari Pokkho, as its head.
The commission has been tasked with proposing reforms to strengthen women’s participation and empowerment across all levels of society. The commission includes prominent figures from diverse sectors.
The members are Maheen Sultan, Senior Fellow at the Brac Institute of Governance and Development; Sara Hossain, Executive Director of the Bangladesh Legal Aid and Services Trust (BLAST); Fawzia Karim Firoze, President of the Bangladesh National Women Lawyers’ Association; Kalpona Akter, President of the Bangladesh Garment and Industrial Workers Federation; Halida Hanum Akhter, a women’s health expert; Sumaiya Islam, Executive Director of the Bangladesh Nari Sramik Kendra; Nirupa Dewan, former member, National Human Rights Commission; Ferdousi Sultana, former senior social development advisor, Asian Development Bank; and Nishita Zaman Niha, a student representative.