Reza Mahmud :
Public health experts are urging for a boost in budget allocation for training and research within the country’s health sector. Finance Minister Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali has proposed Tk41,407 crore for the health sector for FY25, up from Tk38,051 crore in the previous fiscal year.
Despite the increase, experts argue that the allocation falls short of meeting the sector’s needs.
They emphasise the importance of establishing simulation labs in every hospital and in both public and private medical colleges.
Additionally, they advocate for training doctors through hands-on methods to ensure quality treatment, incorporating modern technology in disease treatment, diagnosis, and prevention, and providing adequate budgetary support for the sector.
However, post-the COVID-19 epidemic, there has been a perceived stagnation in budget allocation for the health sector, leading to significant challenges. Finance Minister Abul Hasan Mahmud Ali has prioritised ensuring basic rights such as food, medical care, and education in his proposed budget for FY25.
Experts stress the importance of prioritising health care, nurturing skilled and experienced medical professionals, establishing simulation labs in all hospitals, and providing ongoing training programmes for new doctors.
Professor Emeritus Dr. ABM Abdullah, who also serves as the personal physician of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, underscores the need for increased budgetary focus on research and doctor training, along with the establishment of simulation labs in all hospitals.
Dr. Abdullah highlights the importance of embracing modern technology to enhance the capabilities of the health sector and emphasises the proper utilisation of budgetary allocations to prevent misuse or embezzlement.
Dr. Be-Nazir Ahmed, former Director of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), points out the high number of patients returning from government hospitals without receiving adequate treatment, indicating the urgent need for increased allocations in the health sector to prevent further impoverishment of the population due to out-of-pocket medical expenses.
The Minister of Health, Professor Dr. Samant Lal Sen, emphasises the benefits of simulation labs in enhancing students’ skills and producing quality doctors. Currently, simulation labs have been initiated in 15 government medical colleges and one dental college across the country, costing Rs 55 crore in the first phase.
According to the Director General of the Department of Health Education, Professor Dr. Md. Tito Mia, the proper utilisation of simulation labs will elevate Bangladesh’s medical education system to international standards, enabling doctors to provide services with greater confidence.
The Line Director of Medical Education and Health Manpower Development, Md. Mosharraf Hossain Khandaker, highlights that simulation lab training equips doctors with proficiency before they directly treat patients, aligning with the criteria for international recognition of medical graduates set by the World Medical Federation and the World Health Organisation (WHO).