NEW YORK, Sept 21, 2023 (BSS) - Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has called upon the international partners to extend cooperation in five areas to ensure Universal Health Coverage (UHC) for all.
 
"I request our international partners to support us in five areas to ensure Universal Health Coverage for all," she told the "UNGA High-level Meeting on "Universal Health Coverage (UHC)" at the conference room of the United Nations Headquarters here.
 
The areas are:
 
First, to sustain development assistance for children, mothers, and adolescents' health and address migrants' health and the climate-health nexus;

Second, to share expertise in developing an inter-operable, data-driven Health Information System with Health ID for all;
 
Third, to help develop a robust health insurance scheme suited to our context;
 
Fourth, to enhance health sector investments, including in fast-growing health-tech start-ups; and
 
Fifth, to comply with TRIP obligations on patent disclosure and technology transfer for protecting public health.
 
"Our generation can change history by promoting UHC. Let us all join hands to make that possible," she said.
 
The prime minister said the Universal Health Coverage is one of the most ambitious yet achievable SDG targets.
 
In Bangladesh, she said, "We have a constitutional obligation to ensure health access for all. We have established a nationwide healthcare system, from Community Clinics to specialized medical hospitals. We work closely with non-government partners at the grassroots."
 
Sheikh Hasina said Bangladesh's growing health sector investments have paid dividends as Bangladesh has reduced maternal mortality to 163 per one hundred thousand live births.
 
Apart from these, the neonatal mortality has decreased to 15 and under-five mortality to 28 per thousand live births, she said.
 
"Our emphasis on child immunization has achieved universal coverage. Our average life expectancy is now close to 73 years," she observed.
 
The premier said that Bangladesh has been recognized as one of the world's best at managing the COVID-19 pandemic.
 
"We are now working on high alert to combat dengue. We are introducing advanced treatments for cancer, diabetes, and heart diseases," she said.
 
Sheikh Hasina said Bangladesh has set standards for providing medical care in humanitarian and peacekeeping operations.
 
She continued that Bangladesh's policies and interventions on mental health and neurological disorders are widely appreciated.
 
"We provide reproductive health services in a culturally sensitive manner. We are promoting a "One Health Approach" to prepare against Antimicrobial Resistance. We are raising awareness about nutrition, vision impairment, and drowning," she said.
 
The premier said she strongly believes that no one should suffer from out-of-pocket health expenses.
 
"Our public health facilities provide services at zero or minimum costs, covering nearly 80% of our population," she said.
 
Sheikh Hasina said Bangladesh's focus remains on improving their service quality with a trained workforce.
 
"Our next target is to develop a viable financing model for reimbursing costs. In Bangladesh, we meet 98% of our pharmaceutical needs through domestic production," she said.
 
Health and Family Welfare Minister Zahid Maleque, MP, and Senior Secretary of the Health Services Division Dr. Md. Anwar Hossain Howlader were present.