Reform commission recommends establishment of institute to oversee women, children health
BSS:
The interim government instituted Health Sector Reform Commission (HSRC) to establish an institute to ensure a safe and respectful environment for women, children and adolescents.
The HSRC on Monday submitted its report to Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus at his official Jamuna residence suggesting the formation of National Women’s Health Institute for overall healthcare and well-being of the target groups alongside outlining various other proposals.
Officials concerned said the commission headed by Diabetic Association of Bangladesh president Professor Dr AK Azad Khan, proposed 32 key recommendations categorizing them as short and medium-term reforms.
They said report laid an extra emphasis on ensuring a safe and respectful environment for children, adolescents, women, and pregnant women during climate-related and other natural disasters.
According to the report the proposed institute should function as a referral center for specialized medical services, cater to secondary and tertiary hospitals, and serve as a hub for training and skill development of healthcare professionals focusing on women’s health.
The report recommended the institute be entrusted with the task of solving neglected and complex problems related to women’s health treating them as a national priority.
Appropriate and respectful healthcare should be ensured for mothers, children, adolescents and people with special needs.
Moreover, need-based and sensitive service delivery systems should be developed for the population so they are not deprived of healthcare.
The commission suggested government and private non-profit organisations or institutions should be encouraged while the government assistance should be provided for women’s healthcare.
Simultaneously, priority should be given to create a healthy and normal state of mental health, disease, mental and physical structure, intelligence, thinking, sociality, etc. of children, adolescents and the elderly.
The report suggested expatriate healthcare professionals should be brought back home to strengthen and develop the country’s health system.
It said doctors, nurses, technicians and other healthcare professionals working outside Bangladesh should be sincerely invited to return to the country with their valuable skills and experience to strengthen and develop the country’s health system.
The report suggested formulation of a special policy to implement this initiative, which will provide necessary facilities and support to the expat health service professionals including doctors.
The government formed a 12-member Health Sector Reform Commission in November 2024.