UAP seminar highlights need for sustainable healthcare financing

Speakers at a seminar at the University of Asia Pacific (UAP) stressed the need for stronger collaboration, evidence-based policymaking and sustainable financing to improve Bangladesh’s healthcare system.

K M Mozibul Hoque, chairman of the Board of Trustees of UAP, attended the programme as guest of honour, according to a press release.

He stressed giving higher priority to the health sector in national development and underscored the importance of collaboration among academia, government, industry and development partners to ensure sustainable and inclusive healthcare financing.

Acting Vice-Chancellor Mohiuddin Ahmed Bhuiyan attended as special guest.

He emphasised adequate funding for the health sector, improved coordination among healthcare providers and efficient use of allocated resources. He also called for strengthening evidence-based policymaking and continuous policy dialogue to improve the healthcare system.

In her keynote presentation, Rumana Huque, professor at the University of Dhaka, outlined key challenges in Bangladesh’s health financing system, including resource constraints and service delivery gaps.

She offered evidence-based recommendations to improve efficiency, equity, accessibility and the overall quality of healthcare services.

The panel discussion featured Md Selim Reza, acting dean of the Faculty of Pharmacy at the University of Dhaka; Liaquat Ali, honorary chief scientist and adviser at Pothikrit Institute of Health Studies and member of the Healthcare Reform Commission; M H Choudhury Lelin, chairman of Health and Hope Hospital; Syed Abdul Hamid, professor at the Institute of Health Economics of the University of Dhaka; Mohammad Shahriar, dean of the School of Pharmacy at UAP; Shamsad Ahmed, professor of the Department of Business Administration at UAP; and Nurul Amin Nahid, additional commissioner of taxes at the National Board of Revenue.

The session was chaired by M A Baqui Khalily, dean of the School of Business at UAP, and moderated by Nazma Begum, professor of the Department of Business Administration.

Sarwar R Chowdhury, head of the Department of Business Administration at UAP, along with faculty members and students, also attended the programme.

Speakers and participants highlighted the importance of research-driven policymaking and stronger partnerships among academic institutions, healthcare practitioners, policymakers and development organisations.

They said such collaboration could generate relevant evidence, support policy reforms and contribute to building a more resilient and inclusive healthcare system in Bangladesh.

The discussion concluded with a shared commitment to strengthening policy dialogue, advancing research initiatives and fostering collaboration among academia, industry and government to develop a more efficient, equitable and sustainable healthcare system.