Healthcare a basic human right

Renowned cardiologist and Ziaur Rahman Foundation (ZRF) Vice President Dr Zubaida Rahman on Sunday called for a healthcare system focused on prevention, early detection and affordable access, saying healthcare should be treated as a basic human right rather than a privilege.

“Our healthcare system cannot be built around treatment alone. We often say prevention is better than cure, and that remains true. The healthcare system must identify risks and diseases before they become severe,” she said.

Zubaida made the remarks while addressing a special international seminar titled “Health Innovation for All: Expanding Access to Affordable and Inclusive Care” as the chief guest on the second day of the three-day Bangladesh Innovation Fair 2026 at Novo Theatre in Agargaon.

The session focused on technology-driven ways of delivering modern healthcare at affordable costs to marginalised communities.

Zubaida said the quality of a country’s healthcare system could not be judged solely by the sophistication of its hospitals or advancement of technology.

Many people reach specialist hospitals only after their conditions become complicated, while patients often travel long distances because necessary services are unavailable near their homes, she said.
“Modern tertiary healthcare has also become extremely expensive. But this is not only for Bangladesh; many advanced countries are facing this worldwide,” she said.