Health Reform Commission forwards three-point proposal for swift action

Citing inaction on its May report, the health commission calls on Yunus to implement key reforms without delay

The Health Reform Commission has urged Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus to swiftly implement its recommendations, proposing three measures, including the formation of a national health advisory committee under his leadership.

The call came in a letter sent on Sunday by National Professor Abul Kalam Azad Khan, the commission's chairman, amid frustration over the government’s lack of visible progress since receiving the commission’s final report in May.

“Nothing is moving,” Azad told bdnews24.com.

“That’s why, with consent from all commission members, we’ve written to the chief advisor.”

In the letter, the commission expressed concern that although the report was officially submitted to Yunus on May 5, no formal meetings have been held between the commission and the health ministry, nor has any implementation effort been initiated.

The letter warned that without the commission’s active involvement, implementation could become “incomplete and unacceptable”, even though the recommendations provide a timely and practical roadmap to address structural weaknesses, governance failures, and policy gaps in the sector.

To ensure meaningful progress, the commission proposed three concrete steps:

Forming a high-level National Health Advisory Committee, led by the chief advisor, to drive forward implementation.

Establishing a permanent, independent Bangladesh Health Commission with oversight and accountability powers, directly reporting to the chief advisor.

Introducing the necessary policy, administrative, organisational and budgetary measures to make primary healthcare completely free for all citizens.

The letter expressed hope that Yunus, who has shown “vision and humanity” in leading the nation through crisis, would now take decisive steps to reform the health system.

“Your leadership can deliver an effective and trusted health system,” the commission wrote, offering full cooperation and requesting an in-person meeting to brief Yunus directly on the importance and strategy of implementation.

The Health Reform Commission was formed on Nov 18, 2024, after the fall of the Awami League government on Aug 5, 2024, in the face of a student-led mass uprising.