Photo: DCCI

DHAKA, Dec 13, 2025 (BSS) – Speakers at a seminar here today said that enhancing coordination between the public and private sectors alongside greater public engagement is essential for the health sector’s overall improvement. 

Speakers made the observation at a seminar on “Strengthening Confidence in the Healthcare System in Bangladesh: A Strategy for Quality Assurance” organized by the Dhaka Chamber of Commerce & Industry (DCCI) held at the DCCI Auditorium in the capital today. National Prof. A K Azad Khan, President, Diabetic Association of Bangladesh, spoke as the chief guest.

The speakers also noted Bangladesh’s healthcare sector is yet to achieve the desired level of development due to only 1% of GDP allocation, inadequate infrastructure, lagging adoption of new technologies, shortage of skilled human resources, high cost of healthcare services, management inefficiencies and weak monitoring of existing policies in this sector.

National Prof. A K Azad Khan acknowledged that there have been notable achievements in Bangladesh’s healthcare sector but desired quality is yet to achieve. To attain the desired development, he called for stronger government involvement. 

Azad observed that healthcare quality in Bangladesh lags behind developed countries and even neighboring countries. Though establishing universal health care may not be feasible at present, he stressed on implementing primary healthcare. “Along with the overall management development, decentralization is also crucial for the betterment of the health sector,” he added.

He also highlighted the expansion of digital healthcare to improve rural access, the modernization of medical education curricula and creating a conducive environment for medical research.

In his welcome remarks, DCCI President Taskeen Ahmed said that structural gaps persist in ensuring quality and patient-friendly healthcare services in the country. 

He highlighted disparities in service quality between the public and private sector owned hospitals, shortages of skilled manpower, the widespread increase in unauthorized clinics and pharmacies, weak regulatory oversight, limited use of modern technologies and most importantly lack of effective implementation of existing laws continue to erode public health security and trust, said a DCCI press release. 

Taskeen noted that due to the absence of an effective health insurance mechanism, individuals have to bear nearly 74% of total healthcare expenditure on their own, posing serious financial risks for low- and middle-income groups. 

To ensure a sustainable healthcare system, he stressed the need for foreign investment, strengthened public-private partnerships, adoption of modern medical technologies, development of skilled professionals in nursing, laboratory sciences and health management, effective policy implementation and efficient management. He also emphasized establishing a strong health regulatory framework to ensure a health-friendly environment for people at all levels. 

In his keynote speech Malik Talha Ismail Bari, Managing Director & CEO, United Hospital Limited and Former Senior Vice President, DCCI stated that the government’s per capita annual health expenditure is Taka 1,070, and according to the World Health Organization, nearly 49% of the population is deprived of quality healthcare services. 

He added that while the sector’s current market size is approximately US$14 billion, it is projected to reach US$23 billion by 2033. He identified low budget allocation and inefficient management, urban–rural disparities in healthcare access, gaps in service quality and public trust, shortages of skilled health professionals, rising healthcare costs, inadequate infrastructure and weak regulatory systems as the major challenges facing the sector. 

He further noted that a significant portion of the population seeks medical treatment abroad for better healthcare, resulting in an annual outflow of nearly US$5 billion. 

To improve the current situation, he emphasized the need to attract both local and foreign investment, simplify access to financing, strengthen infrastructure, ensure the adoption of modern technologies, enhance human resource capacity, and update existing policies to make them more responsive to current needs.

Professor Syed Atiqul Haq, Chief Consultant, Green Life Center for Rheumatic Care and Research, Priti Chakraborty, Chairman, Universal Medical College & Hospital, Dr. Shafiun Nahin Shimul, Professor and Director, Institute of Health Economics, University of Dhaka, Dr. Md. Zakir Hossain, Secretary General, Bangladesh Association of Pharmaceutical Industries, Dr. Md. Mustafizur Rahman, Senior Scientist, Infectious Diseases Division, icddr,b, Dr. Fida Mehran, Health Systems Specialist, UNICEF Bangladesh and Dr. Murad Sultan, National Professional Officer of Patient Safety and Blood Safety, World Health Organization (WHO) spoke, among others, at the seminar.

In the open floor discussion session, DCCI Senior Vice President Haider Ahmed Khan, former Director Alhaj Mohammad Sarfuddin, Professor Dr. Billal Hossain of the University of Dhaka, and Ishtiaq Ahmed, Proprietor of Mega Health Care, also spoke on the occasion.

DCCI Vice President Md. Salem Sulaiman, members of the Board of Directors, government and private sectors stakeholders were also present at the seminar.