He was speaking at the inaugural session of a course on 'Equity in Health' as the chief guest at the Brac Centre in the city. The World Bank Institute in collaboration with the James P Grant School of Public Health, BRAC University, and ICDDR,B has organised the four-day course that began yesterday.

In his speech, the health secretary also pointed out the outstanding successes as well as the challenges in the health sector.

Prof Jamilur Reza Choudhury, vice-chancellor, BRAC University, said, "We have invested a lot to build good infrastructure to deliver healthcare services, but we have not invested much to improve our healthcare professionals, which is contributing to the inequity in health sector."

Dr Abbas Bhuiya of ICDDR,B expressed his hope that the course would eventually lead to policy changes and practices in Bangladesh and beyond.

Ado Yazbeck, lead economist form the World Bank Institute, Washington DC, and Xian Zhu, country director, World Bank in Bangladesh, also spoke.

Prof AMR Chowdhury, dean, BRAC School of Public Health & deputy executive director of BRAC, gave the welcome address.

Thirty-five participants, including health sector managers, government officials, journalists, academics, civil society members, and NGO and donor agency representatives, are taking part in the course.