DHAKA, May 14, 2025 (BSS) - Health Sector Reform Commission (HSRC) has recommended ensuring a dignified environment for children, adolescents and women during natural calamities. 

"A National Institute of Women's Health will have to establish to ensure overall health and well-being of women," said the HSRC in its recommendations.

The members of the commission submitted the report to the Chief Adviser at the State Guest House Jamuna on Monday. 

The report said the institution will serve as a referral center for specialized services, secondary and tertiary hospitals, which should be developed as a center for training and skill development of health workers on women's health. 

"It will lead in solving neglected and complex problems related to women's health and will improve women's health to the national priority stage," it added. 

There are 32 main recommendations for short-term and med-term in the report for the health sector. 

The commission recommended for ensuring a dignified environment for children, adolescents, women and pregnant women during climate and other natural disasters.

"Organizations should be ensured that health institutions are disaster-proof and women, children, adolescents and elderly-friendly," the report said.

Appropriate and respectful healthcare system should be ensured for mothers, children, adolescents and people with special needs, it said. 

The report also said that need-based and sensitive service delivery systems should be developed for these populations, so that they are not deprived of healthcare and their rights.

It is necessary to encourage establishing public and private non-profit institutions for women's health care and government assistance should be provided. 

The report also recommended for bringing back healthcare professionals working abroad to strengthen and develop the country's health system.

It said doctors, nurses, technicians and other healthcare professionals working outside Bangladesh will be cordially invited to return to the country.

They will develop the country's health system with their skills and experiences, the report said. 

It suggested formulation of a special policy to implement the initiatives, which will provide necessary facilities and support to professionals.

The government formed a 12-member Health Sector Reform Commission in November 2024. The commission was headed by Professor Dr AK Azad Khan, President of the Diabetic Association of Bangladesh.

Other members are Professor Md Muhammad Zakir Hossain, Bangladesh Medical University (BMU), Professor Dr Liaquat Ali, chairman of Pathikrit Foundation, Professor Dr Saeba Akhtar, Gynecologist, Professor Dr Naila Zaman Khan, Department of Pediatric Neuroscience, MM Reza, Former Secretary, Professor Dr Mujaherul Haque, Former Adviser to the World Health Organization, Dr Azharul Islam, ICDDRB, Professor Dr Syed Md Akram Hossain, Square Hospital, Professor Dr Syed Atiqul Haque, Green Life Center and Research, Dr Ahmed Ahsanur Rahman, ICDDRB and Omair Afif, a student of Dhaka Medical College.