The ‘Bangladesh Health Conclave 2025’ was held today at the Pan Pacific Sonargaon Dhaka, bringing together key stakeholders to advance the country’s healthcare system through robust public-private partnerships. Organized by the leading business daily, Bonik Barta, the event’s central theme was ‘Better Healthcare, Brighter Nation, reorts.
The day-long conclave, which commenced at 9:30 AM, was attended by a distinguished gathering of healthcare policymakers, researchers, private sector service providers, medical equipment manufacturers, and development partners. The event was moderated by Dewan Hanif Mahmud, Editor and Publisher of Bonik Barta.
Due to a sudden illness, the Chief Guest, Interim Government’s Planning Advisor Wahiduddin Mahmud, participated virtually. In his address, he stated, “People’s full trust in the country’s healthcare system has not yet been established. Every year, a large number of people travel abroad for better treatment, spending vast sums of money. The situation should have been the opposite—we should have built the capacity to attract people to Bangladesh for treatment.”
Highlighting various crises in the health sector, the Planning Advisor said, “While large infrastructures have been built in our country, there is a lack of adequate doctors. In many cases, where there are doctors, there are no nurses. Due to this shortage of skilled manpower, the general public is deprived of quality medical care. Therefore, health sector investors should build low-cost hospitals and healthcare centers, keeping in mind the affordability of the common people.” He also emphasized the urgency of coordinating public and private investment for a quality healthcare sector.
Special Guest, Special Assistant to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (State Minister Status) Professor Dr. Md. Sayedur Rahman, said, “Like the police and the army, the health sector also needs regulation; but regulation does not mean oppression. In our country, regulation often turns into tyranny. The health sector must have a certain degree of regulation to be safe, but it should not become tyrannical, and the regulatory authority should not be corrupt. Regulation must be limited to a specific framework.”
Regarding the operating rules of public and private medical colleges, hospitals, and diagnostic centers, he mentioned, “It is unbelievable but true that there was no specific law for establishing medical colleges and hospitals in Bangladesh. From now on, all public and private medical colleges, hospitals, and diagnostic centers will follow a common law.”
Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury, a member of the BNP’s National Standing Committee, criticized the proliferation of superfluous regulatory bodies, which he claimed were hampering the sector’s progress. He advocated for a more open system, allowing private hospitals and clinics a greater degree of self-regulation. “Nowhere else in the world does the government strictly control everything to this extent—this is a uniquely Bangladeshi phenomenon,” he stated, adding that “greater control only creates more opportunities for corruption.” He pledged that a future BNP government would allocate more than 5% of the GDP to healthcare.
Dr. Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher, Naeb-e-Amir of Jamaat-e-Islami, underscored the need for the private healthcare sector to prioritize service over profit. He urged entrepreneurs to take proactive steps to ensure quality care and reduce the financial burden of treatment. Stressing the importance of increased budgetary allocation, he called for a health budget of 6 to 8 percent of the GDP, acknowledging the current shortfall relative to the country’s population. He also emphasized the necessity of a public-private partnership, with a particular focus on the private sector, urging implementers to act with greater caution and responsibility.
The conclave was also attended by Md. Saidur Rahman, Secretary of the Health Services Division, and Tapan Chowdhury, former Advisor to the Caretaker Government and Director of Square Group, as Honored Guests.
Panel discussions at the event featured key experts, Professor Dr. Md. Abu Jafor, Director General of the Directorate General of Health Services, Major General Md. Shamim Haider, Director General of the Directorate General of Drug Administration, Professor Dr. Md. Shahinul Alam, Vice-Chancellor of Bangladesh Medical University, Sangay Wangmo, Team Leader of the WHO Bangladesh Office, Dr. A M Shamim, Managing Director of LabAid Group, Dr. Md. Mossadek Hossain Biswas, President of the Bangladesh Private Hospital, Clinic, and Diagnostic Owners Association, Asif Saleh, Executive Director of BRAC, and Dr. Nizam Uddin Ahmed, Public Health Expert and CEO of National Telehealth Service.
