No increase in allocation for health sector in budget

There is no sign of any increase in allocation for health sector in the proposed budget despite demands by rights activists.

Finance Minister Abul Maal Abdul Muhith on Thursday proposed only 4.3 percent of the total Tk 2.95 trillion outlay for health.

The allocation was 4.4 percent in 2014-2015 proposed budget and 4.3 percent in 2013-2014.

The finance minister highlighted the role of community clinics, expansion of telemedicine service and maternal health voucher scheme, and modernisation of public health system in his budget speech.

He said the National Drug Policy 2014 would be updated to keep the public health system up to speed.

Bangladesh’s per capita health expenditure has increased to $27, but the government’s share still remains low.

Experts say it is “not consistent” with the goal to achieve universal health coverage.

Bangladesh’s National Health Accounts show s the government’s share in the health sector declined to 23 percent in 2012 from 27 percent in 2007.

People pay more than 63 percent of their total health expenses from their own pocket, which is one of the highest in the region.