A Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies (BIDS) study revealed a troubling reality in Bangladesh’s healthcare system.
A concerning 61 percent of Bangladeshis face financial hardship when seeking hospital treatment.
The average family spends a significant Tk 55,134 for hospital admission, with over half (54pc) going towards medication alone.
This translates to a harsh reality – millions of Bangladeshis are falling into poverty due to out-of-pocket healthcare costs.
The BIDS study found that a substantial 3.7 percent of the population, or 6.13 million people, fell below the poverty line in 2022 solely because of medical expenses.
The study sheds light on how Bangladeshis manage these financial burdens.
A significant portion (26.83pc) resorts to borrowing money, while 18.77percent rely on help from friends and family.
Even more concerning is that 15.53 percent are forced to sell assets, and 32.58 percent deplete their savings to cover medical costs. Only 6.29 percent can manage with their regular income.
There is a glimmer of hope with the Health Minister acknowledging the challenges and promising a government health insurance scheme.
However, the timeline for its implementation remains unclear. Bangladeshis cannot afford to wait.
This is a call to action for all Bangladeshis. We must work together to ensure healthcare becomes a right, not a privilege. Citizens can raise awareness and advocate for affordable solutions.
The government needs to expedite the health insurance programme and prioritise financial aid for vulnerable populations.
Healthcare providers should explore cost-reduction strategies to make treatment more accessible.
By working together, Bangladesh can build a healthcare system that protects the well-being of all its citizens, preventing illness from becoming a financial catastrophe.
We must say that 61 percent of Bangladeshis face financial hardship for hospital care that needs to be addressed by allocating proper resources and improving the healthcare system.
The nation’s success in poverty reduction will be false if the out-of-pocket medical cost increases in this way.
