‘A huge gap between budget and services’
Although allocation for the health sector in the national budget has increased, there is a massive gap between allocation and the actual services being provided, said speakers at a discussion yesterday.
To measure the budget's effectiveness, assessing what goals are being attained using the allocations is needed, they said in the online discussion titled "Assessing progress towards realisation of health-related commitments of election 2018".
Speakers said political parties' commitments to develop the health sector during 2018 national elections have become even more relevant because of the pandemic.
Over the course of three national budgets, significant amounts of resources have been allocated to attain the goals.
Yet there remains a long way to go, and all stakeholders must work together to fulfil commitments, they said at the event jointly organised by Bangladesh Health Watch, Brac James P Grant School of Public Health, and Unnayan Shamannay.
"Just analysing the budgetary allocations will not suffice to understand to what extent the commitments have been realised," said Dr Atiur Rahman, former governor of Bangladesh Bank, while presenting a keynote.
Dr Atiur, who is also president of Unnayan Shamannay, said, "Rather, stakeholders have to check what goals the administration intends to attain with those allocations."
Former health minister and lawmaker Dr Ruhal Haque said ensuring adequate human resources for healthcare should be considered the topmost priority.
Meanwhile, lawmaker Shamim Haider stressed the need for decentralisation of public health administration.
Ruling party whip of parliament
Abu Sayeed Al Mahmood said the government is committed to fulfilling its healthcare-related election commitments, despite numerous challenges posed by the pandemic.
Several lawmakers including Dr Habibe Millat from Sirajganj-2 constituency, Dr Samil Uddin Ahmed Shimul from Chapainawabganj-1, Gloria Jharna Sarker from reserved seats for women, and Bangladesh Medical Association President Dr Mustafa Jalal Mohiuddin were present, among others.
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