The discussion titled 'National Health Budget: Perspective-Health Rights' was organised by Physicians for Social Responsi-bility Bangladesh at the National Press Club in the city on Thursday.

Prof Abul Barakat said the budget for health sector is negligible.

"There is no clear strategy on budget allocation and how the allocation would reach the people," he said, adding that to ensure primary healthcare $ 20 will be need per head where as the people now get only $4.

In a keynote paper, Dr Mohammad Abdul Matin said

the government should consider both curative and preventive side of health sector while preparing the budget.

He said according to a government study 40 percent people have the access to public hospitals, but according to a non-government study only three percent people have this access.

Abul Mal Abdul Muhit, a former finance minister, called for reducing the allocation in defence sector and increase the allocation in social sector including health, education, housing and sanitation which is now only 25 percent of the total budget.

This should be increased up to 30 percent, he added.

Criticising the process of formulating national budget, Muhit said the process should be modified.

" We do not raise question on revised budget for which the government tends to become irresponsible and since the last four years false and ambitious budgets were passed," he said.

The speakers said the last budget did not mention anything about the health policy.

They called for a public-health-friendly budget.

Presided over by PSRB President Dr Kamrul Hasan Khan, the discussion was also participated by Barrister Tania Amir, Editor of Bangladesh Observer Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury, former secretary general of Bangladesh Medical Association Dr Mostofa Jalal Mohiuddin, Trust Co-ordinator of Dhaka Community Hospital Prof Mahmudur Rahman and Dr AKM Salek.