PPP key to affordable healthcare: Finance Minister

For millions of Bangladeshis, seeking medical treatment often means facing not only health concerns but also a major financial burden.

Nearly 69 per cent of total health expenditure in Bangladesh comes directly from households, according to the Bangladesh National Health Accounts 1997-2020, making patients the primary financiers of the healthcare system.

The high dependence on out-of-pocket payments has raised concerns over healthcare affordability, as unexpected medical expenses can push low- and middle-income families into financial stress.

While Bangladesh has expanded its healthcare facilities and developed a strong pharmaceutical sector, experts say the country still faces challenges in ensuring affordable and equitable access to quality healthcare.

Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury recently stressed the need for stronger public-private collaboration to reduce healthcare costs, saying increased budget allocation alone would not be enough without better utilisation of existing resources. He said Bangladesh needs to integrate the capacity of private hospitals, diagnostic centres, entrepreneurs and the pharmaceutical industry into the broader healthcare system.

Experts believe reducing patients’ financial burden will require greater investment in preventive healthcare, stronger primary care services, health insurance coverage and improved coordination between public and private providers.

The challenge now is not only expanding healthcare facilities but ensuring that treatment does not become a source of economic hardship for ordinary citizens.