Budget neglected rural people's healthcare
Say speakers
As in previous years, healthcare for rural people has again been neglected in the proposed national budget for no steps were taken to increase doctors' attendance in public hospitals of rural areas, said speakers at a meeting yesterday.
Neglecting the need of these hospitals has led to the commercialisation of medical services. This sometimes forces people of the middle-income group into selling their belongings to avail healthcare services, they added.
The views exchange meeting, “National budget and the allocation in health sector”, was held in the capital's Jatiya Press Club.
Health Rights Movement National Committee (HRMNC), Manusher Jonno Foundation and Population Services and Training Centre jointly organised the meeting.
The country's budgets, including the proposed one, had no step to address the reasons behind most of the posts in public hospitals of rural areas remaining vacant over the years, said Bangladesh Poribesh Andolon General Secretary Dr Mohammad Abdul Matin.
Well-off people, ministers and even the president opt to go abroad for healthcare services as they have no confidence in the country's public hospitals, said the speakers.
The situation would change if accountability in hospital management could be ensured, they added.
The speakers placed some recommendations, which include increasing budgetary allocation for healthcare by 15 to 20 percent. They also sought increased allocation for the elderly, people with disabilities, women and children.
HRMNC President Dr Rashid-e-Mahbub chaired the meeting where HRMNC Member Secretary Dr Nitai Kanti Das, Sardar Arif Uddin and Public Health Foundation Chairman Prof M Muzaherul Huq also spoke.
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