Health care at a crossroads in Bangladesh

Abstract

Though Bangladesh has made tremendous strides forward in health and other socio-economic indicators in the recent past, basic needs of health still remain largely unmet and only less than half of the population has access to basic healthcare. The health spending is far below the optimum level which is needed to scale up essential health intervention. Bangladesh is also experiencing a critical and chronic shortage and imbalance of skill mix and deployment of health workforce. The important achievements in health indicators include life expectancy, infant mortality, and vaccinations. However, overall burden of mortality and morbidity in most of the key health indicators is higher compared to other regional countries. Despite remarkable progress, except child mortality, targets are not expected to be met by 2015 if the prevailing trends persist in several areas. Major reforms are needed in health and medical education to ensure quality healthcare for the population of Bangladesh.