The second session of "Shastha Chorcha", an initiative by WHO Bangladesh, brought together global experts and government officials to address key challenges and explore pathways toward achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC). Held on 25 June 2025 at the WHO Bangladesh Country Office in Dhaka, the forum served as a collaborative platform to exchange insights, foster partnerships, and explore innovative solutions for strengthening Bangladesh’s health system.
Introduced by Dr. Ahmed Jamsheed Mohamed, WHO Representative to Bangladesh, the forum was designed to break organizational silos and enhance collaboration across WHO’s technical units and external partners. The session focused on the current global health landscape and its implications for advancing UHC in countries like Bangladesh, and how WHO and governments can work together to accelerate progress and featured a country case study on Thailand's UHC journey. “This forum aims to foster collaboration and drive collective action toward UHC in Bangladesh,” said Dr. Jamsheed. In the session, Prof. Tim Evans, Vice President, Concordia University and Former ADG, WHO HQ, and globally recognized health policy expert, delivered a compelling keynote on the shifting landscape of global health financing. Dr Evans said, “The challenge of out-of-pocket payments is perhaps the most significant financing issue". "We need bright minds for the future to focus on innovative solutions tailored to Bangladesh's economic realities to achieve UHC, " he added.
/countries/bangladesh/prof-tim-evans-and-dr-piya-hanvoravongchai.jpg?sfvrsn=a440c802_3 "Prof Tim Evans and Dr Piya Hanvoravongchai")
Most importantly, Dr. Evans urged WHO to place greater emphasis on its core functions—particularly its normative guidance and convening role—in advancing Universal Health Coverage.
During the session, Dr. Piya Hanvoravongchai, Health Financing Specialist from Thailand and faculty, National University of Singapore, presented Thailand’s UHC experience, highlighting the importance of committed leadership, unbiased technocrats, community participation and continuous system adaptation.
“UHC is not just about health insurance or financing reform,” he noted. “It involves system-level execution, technical resilience, and political commitment.” Dr. Piya emphasized the role of civil society and political engagement in sustaining health reforms, reinforcing the need for inclusive, long-term strategies.
Mr. Md. Emdadul Haque Akand, Director General of Nursing and Midwifery, discussed key challenges in Bangladesh’s health sector, including underinvestment in public health, shortages in the health workforce, and a treatment-centric approach. “Our health system is mostly based on treatment, and we need to invest more in public health and preventive measures,” he stated. He further emphasized the importance of early diagnosis and preventive care, sharing insights from his experience with school health programs.
Prof. Liaqat Ali, a renowned national public health specialist, emphasized the critical role of political will and efficient planning in achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC). “The real deficiency in Bangladesh is not financial resources, but in planning, management, and political goodwill,” he noted. He highlights the importance of community ownership and social mobilization in driving sustainable health reforms. “We need to create a consensus among political parties and involve civil society to sustain health reforms,” he added.
Dr. Subraut Paul from the Health Economics Unit highlighted the burden of out-of-pocket health expenditure, noting that 64% of health spending in Bangladesh goes toward medicines. “Reducing this burden is essential for making healthcare more equitable and accessible,” he added.
/countries/bangladesh/participants-listening-session-shastha-chorcha.jpg?sfvrsn=70fd124_3 "Participants listening session shastha chorcha to expert presentations during the Second Shastha Chorcha Forum in Dhaka.")
Group of participants of Shastha Chorcha Forum listening the expert’s experiences.
Participants engaged in a meaningful Q&A session, addressing key issues such as health financing models, the role of private sector engagement, and innovative health solutions. The "Shastha Chorcha" forum successfully brought together experts and stakeholders to discuss critical challenges and opportunities related to Universal Health Coverage (UHC) in Bangladesh. The session served as a valuable platform for exchanging ideas and exploring collaborative opportunities among the WHO, government agencies, international and national experts. The session concluded with a strong consensus: achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) in Bangladesh requires innovation, context-specific strategies, political commitment, and community engagement.
The “Shastha Chorcha” forum continues to serve as a vital platform for dialogue, learning, and action, bringing together global expertise and local leadership in the shared pursuit of health for all.
For more information about this publication, please get in touch with
Salma Sultana
NPO – Communication and Media
WHO Bangladesh
e-mail ssultana@who.int