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DHAKA, Aug 30, 2025 (BSS) - Planning Adviser Dr Wahiduddin Mahmud today said that restoring people’s confidence in the country’s healthcare system is now the most urgent matter.
“Full confidence in the country’s healthcare system is yet to be established. Every year, a large number of people spend a huge amount of money seeking advanced medical treatment abroad. But, the situation was supposed to be opposite. We should have developed the capacity to attract people from abroad to Bangladesh for taking treatment,” he said.
The Planning Adviser made these remarks as he joined the “Bangladesh Health Conclave 2025” virtually, as the chief guest. With the theme ‘Advanced Healthcare Enriched Country’ the conclave was organized by the Daily Bonik Barta at a hotel in the capital.
He further said that although large infrastructures are being built in the country, but those often lack adequate doctors. In many cases, there are doctors but no nurses. Due to this shortage of skilled manpower, ordinary people are being deprived of quality healthcare services.
Therefore, Dr Mahmud urged the healthcare sector investors to built affordable hospitals and health centers keeping in mind the capacity of common people.
The “Bangladesh Health Conclave 2025” was organized with the goal of advancing modern healthcare services in the country through public-private partnerships.
The event was attended by policymakers in the health sector, researchers, private healthcare providers, medical equipment manufacturers, and development partners. It was moderated by Bonik Barta’s editor and publisher Dewan Hanif Mahmud.
Speaking as special guest, Professor Dr. Md. Sayedur Rahman, Special Assistant (with the rank of State Minister) on the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, said that in order to keep the health sector safe, a certain level of regulation is necessary. “But it must not become oppressive…Regulation should remain confined within a defined framework,” he added.
Regarding the operation of government and private medical colleges, hospitals, and diagnostic centers, he noted that it is quite unbelievable that Bangladesh had no specific law for establishing medical colleges and hospitals. “From now on, all government and private medical colleges, hospitals, and diagnostic centers will operate under a common law,” he said.
BNP Standing Committee member Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury said that unnecessary regulatory bodies have grown up around the health sector in Bangladesh.
“Our plan is to make this sector more open. Private hospitals and clinics should be given the opportunity for self-regulation. The government doesn’t control everything strictly anywhere in the world and this happens only in Bangladesh,” he added.
Dr. Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher, Nayeb-e-Amir of Jamaat-e-Islami, emphasized that the private healthcare sector should be service-oriented rather than business-oriented. “The private healthcare sector must focus on service, not just business. It is essential to ensure quality and proper service,” he said.
He also emphasized on increasing the healthcare sector budget. “Budgetary allocation for health sector needs to be at least 6 to 8 percent. But, given our population, we are yet to achieve that,” he said.
Md. Saidur Rahman, Secretary of the Health Services Division of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, and Tapan Chowdhury, former Adviser to the Caretaker Government and Director of Square Group spoke as guests of honour.
At the Bangladesh Health Conclave 2025, a panel discussion on health and pharmaceutical regulations and regulatory bodies was attended by Professor Dr. Md. Abu Jafar, Director General of the Directorate General of Health Services, and Major General Md. Shameem Haider, Director General of the Directorate General of Drug Administration.
Another panel discussion on specialized healthcare, research, and international standards included Professor Dr. Md. Shahinul Alam, Vice Chancellor of Bangladesh Medical University.
The panel on private healthcare featured Dr. A.M. Shamim, Managing Director of Labaid Group, and Dr. Md. Mosaddek Hossain Biswas, President of the Bangladesh Private Hospital, Clinic and Diagnostic Owners Association.
The panel on public health included Asif Saleh, Executive Director of BRAC, and Dr. Nizam Uddin Ahmed, public health expert and CEO of National Telehealth Service.
