The Awami League government, which swept to power in 2009, promised a brighter future for Bangladesh’s healthcare. However, despite initial investment, spending on the sector has stagnated, leaving citizens to bear the brunt of the cost.
This translates to a harsh reality: Bangladesh has the world’s second-highest out-of-pocket (OOP) healthcare expenditure, with a staggering 68.5% of medical expenses coming directly from people’s pockets. This number far outpaces the World Health Organization’s (WHO) recommendation of 20% and even the average for low- and middle-income countries (35.25%).
For citizens, this means a constant financial struggle.
With public hospitals overcrowded and under-resourced, many are forced to seek care from private facilities, often incurring significant debt.
The situation becomes dire for the poorest, who face the impossible choice of delaying or forgoing necessary treatment.
Experts point to a web of factors contributing to this crisis.
The government’s failure to raise health spending beyond a meager 1% of GDP is a major culprit.
Additionally, the WHO recommends 5% allocation. Furthermore, a significant portion of the allocated budget is eaten up by salaries, perks, and inefficient implementation, leaving little for actual healthcare services.
The lack of transparency surrounding budget utilization further exacerbates the issue. Even when funds are allocated, the Health Ministry struggles to spend them effectively.
This inefficiency creates a vicious cycle, hindering requests for increased budgetary allocation.
The consequences of this broken healthcare system reach far beyond individual wallets.
Bangladesh is losing valuable foreign currency as people with means travel to neighbouring countries seeking better care.
More importantly, a nation with a neglected health sector risks becoming an “unhealthy nation,” as one expert aptly stated. Hope remains, however.
Experts suggest bold, low-cost healthcare initiatives and stricter price controls on medicines and tests.
Additionally, addressing the issues of budget utilization and inefficiency could free up significant resources.
The time for action is now.
Bangladesh’s government must prioritize its citizens’ health by increasing health spending and ensuring efficient utilization of allocated funds. Only then can the promise of a healthy future be fulfilled.