Staff Reporter :
Speakers at a programme urged the government to enhance allocation in health sector in the budget for the fiscal year (FY) 2014-15, to ensure better treatment facilities for the people.
The budget fixed for the sector during previous FYs stated to be less than most of the neighbouring countries, they said, adding that the budget in the health sector should be increased in the coming FY taking into consideration of the country’s vast population.
The speakers said this at ‘Global Week of Action-2014 and Health Budget Analysis Report Sharing’ programme, organised by World Vision Bangladesh at Spectra Convention Centre in the city on Wednesday.
They said although our country has reduced child mortality rate under five and expanded the immunisation coverage, the maternal and child health situation still remains alarming.
About 59 per cent child death caused for neonatal, 14 for pneumonia and 6 for diarrhoea, they said. More than 50 per cent children under five are suffering from malnutrition. Of those, about 14 per cent are serious victims, they said adding that about 22 per cent new born babies are born with less weight which reflects malnutrition of their mothers.
Referring to FAO report, they said, child malnutrition rate of Bangladesh has ranked 68th out of 79 countries. Due to the inadequate budget for the health sector, the people are compelled to seek treatment from the private sector spending a good amount of their hard earned money. The majority of the country’ people cannot afford to bear the medical cost in private hospitals, which is too expensive, they said.
HT Imam, Political Adviser to Prime Minister was the chief guest while Dr Rabiya Khatoon, National Professional Officer of Child
Health Programme, Chandan Z Gomes, Advocacy Director of World Vision Bangladesh (WVB) and Elidon Bardhi, Acting National Director of WVB, were among others, who spoke.
Stephen Halder, Group Director (PREE) of WVB presided over the programme.
Mohammad Abu Eusuf, Professor of Development Studies and Director of Centre on Budget and Policy of Dhaka University presented the keynote paper.
In the fiscal year 2013-2014, the Finance Minister AMA Muhith allocated an outlay of Tk94.95b in the health sector, which is only 4.7% of the total budget while it was 4.86% in the fiscal year 2012-2013 with the allocation amounting to Tk 93.55b.
