Health sector won't see any qualitative change: Experts
Despite an allocation increase of 5.8 percent from last fiscal year, the health sector will not see any qualitative change, fears experts.
A total of Tk 8,827 crore of the revised budget was allocated for health and family welfare ministry for 2011-12 fiscal year, only 5.4 percent of the national budget.
“Though per capita health expenditure increased to US $7.6, it is still quite insignificant in context of bringing changes in the health sector…
“…especially when a large amount has to be shared over family planning and nutrition issues,” said Dr Rashid E Mahbub, president of Health Rights Movement National Committee and former president of Bangladesh Medical Association.
The health sector spends mostly for disease prevention and treatment and for medical education. But the budget is not enough considering the need of developed treatment facilities and technology based medical education for a qualitative change, he said.
At least three percent of the total Gross Domestic Product is needed, but with less than one percent, it is not possible to bring sustainable development, said the experts.
Furthermore, the increased allocation will be of little help as Muhith said inflation rate would be eight percent this year, they added.
Health ministry is not satisfied with the allocation especially when the government is focusing on ensuring people's primary health and developing tertiary level health sector.
“We need six percent allocation of total Gross Domestic Product, that is Tk 48,000 crore. But this is not possible for the government, especially considering mounting pressure for allocating more on gas, electricity etc,” said Joint Secretary (Administration) of health ministry Ashraful Islam.
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