World Health Organization (WHO) supported Health Economics Unit (HEU) of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MOHFW), Bangladesh to celebrate the Universal Health Coverage Day on 12 December 2020.
The event, addressed by the Honorable Minister, MoHFW, Secretary, Health Services Division of MOHFW, Deputy WHO Country Representative to Bangladesh, advocated for increased political commitment and participation of broad range of multi-sectorial stakeholders towards development of pragmatic strategies to end the COVID-19 crisis and further invest in strong and resilient health systems focusing on primary health care to foster the country’s advancement towards UHC.
Panelists during UHC Celebration. Photo by WHO Bangladesh
“COVID-19 has reinforced the existing evidence that investments in health has long-term returns, which could last for years. To build the foundations for a better future, Government needs to expand their investments in core health systems to protect and promote health and well-being of people. Investments are necessary to strengthen equitable access to essential medicines, to have competent health workforce and expansion of network of primary health care facilities. These functions are integral to the commitments that all Member States made as part of the Political Declaration on Universal Health Coverage in 2019”, said Dr. Bhupinder Aulakh, WHO Deputy Country Representative to Bangladesh.
Addressing the celebration of UHC Day 2020, as the Chief Guest, the Honorable Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Mr. Zahid Maleque reaffirmed government’s commitment to ensure country wide vaccination programme as soon as possible and to build stronger health systems to advance Universal Health Coverage.
The event hosted a technical session focused on the policies to strengthen health systems resilience through primary health care approach towards ending the COVID-19 crisis and building back better to attain the goals of Universal Health coverage. The session was led by Director General, HEU, Director General, Directorate of Health Services, Director, HEU, and Team Leader, Health Systems Unit, WHO Bangladesh.
UHC celebration event was attended by participants from government, development partners, academic institutes and civil society. To recover from the crisis and building resilient health systems, the discussants emphasized on preparing health systems to support a large scale vaccination programme; increasing public investment in primary health care readiness particularly in the area of health workforce; target-based approach to tackle inequity; harnessing efficiency gains in resource use; improving financial risk protection; strengthening regulatory and enforcement systems and promoting evidence-based decision making and policy reforms.
WHO remains committed in supporting Government of Bangladesh to continue building on resilient health systems and primary health care to unlock the path towards universal health coverage in Bangladesh.