Make people aware of right to health service

They emphasized framing a proper health policy and a drug-policy to ensure better services in the health sector. They also called upon civil society members to create awareness among the masses about their right to better health service.

The roundtable on "Health Service: Responsibility and Accountability" was jointly organized by Bengali daily the Prothom Alo, Swasthaloak and ActionAid Bangladesh. I was held at the Chittagong Stock Exchange auditorium.

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Former health secretary Syed Alamgir Faruq, Prof Dr. Anupam Sen of Chittagong University, former principal of Chittagong Medical College Dr. Shubhagata Chowdhury and economist Dr. Moyeenul Islam were among the discussants at the roundtable, chaired by ActionAid Country Director Nasrin Haq and moderated by Prothom Alo Joint Editor Abdul Quayum.

Swasthaloak Executive Director Dr. Golam Morshed presented the key-note paper.

Syed Alamgir Faruq said privatisation of health service sector is not needed if causes for its poor performance are identified and removed.

Prof Dr. Anupam Sen said, the sector lacks proper policy, which is the main obstacle to better service.

Dr. Shubhagata Chowdhury identified corruption and administrative complexity as the main impediments to better health services to people.

Dr. Moyeenul Islam resented over one per cent decrease in health sector allocation in the new budget.

Prothom Alo Joint Editor Abdul Quayum emphasised making the people aware of their rights as regards health service. He also called for creating awareness against HIV and AIDS.

Dr. Golam Morshed in his key-note paper said lack of responsibility and proper accountability, coupled with administrative corruption and insufficient budgetary allocation are the main causes for the poor service in health sector.

The physicians have to depend on laboratory reports to diagnose disease, but the reports are often wrong as laboratory authorities employ untrained technicians.

Dr Sana Ullah Shelly, Dr. Imran Bin Yunus, jorunalists Muhammad Idris and Osman Gani Monsoor, NRDS Executive Director Abdul Awaul, Chittagong City Corporation Ward Commissioner Rehana Kabir Ranu also spoke.