Staff Reporter :
National Professor Dr AK Azad Khan, chair of the Health Sector Reform Commission, has expressed concern over the lack of progress in implementing the commission’s recommendations.
In a letter addressed to the Chief Adviser on Saturday, he called for immediate action and proposed the formation of a National Health Advisory Committee to oversee and guide the implementation process.
The commission submitted its final report to the Chief Adviser on 5 May, but nearly three months have elapsed without any visible government steps towards putting the recommendations into practice.
According to the letter, there has not been a single meeting between the commission and the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare since then.
The letter highlights three principal proposals. Firstly, it urges the establishment of a high-level National Health Advisory Committee, chaired by the Chief Adviser, to accelerate reform implementation.
Secondly, it recommends the creation of an independent and permanent Bangladesh Health Commission responsible for planning, regulation, quality assurance, and accountability in the health sector, reporting directly to the Chief Adviser.
Thirdly, the commission calls on the government to adopt the necessary policy, administrative, organisational, and financial measures to ensure that primary healthcare is provided free of charge to all citizens.
Dr Azad Khan emphasised that the commission’s recommendations present a practical and timely roadmap to tackle the deep-rooted structural flaws, governance gaps, and policy failures within the health sector. He warned that without the commission’s continued involvement, efforts to implement reforms may be incomplete and ineffective.
Expressing confidence in the Chief Adviser’s leadership, Dr Khan noted that the Adviser has demonstrated visionary and compassionate leadership during times of national crisis and is expected to take an active role in advancing health sector reform.
Concluding his letter, Dr Khan requested a meeting with the Chief Adviser to brief him on the significance of the recommendations and strategies for their effective implementation.
