Bangladesh's Public Healthcare System in Crisis: Procurement Irregularities Exposed
Bangladesh's public healthcare system faces severe challenges, with the Public Procurement Authority uncovering irregularities in medical supply procurement. This comes amidst a backdrop of widespread corruption, inadequate resources, and high out-of-pocket expenses for patients.
Bangladesh, with a population of nearly 180 million in 147,570 square kilometres, struggles with a chronically under-resourced public healthcare system. There's only one hospital bed for every 250 patients, and nearly 67 per cent of healthcare expenditure is out-of-pocket, even in public hospitals. This is particularly concerning given that nearly 28 per cent of the population lives below the poverty line, relying solely on public healthcare.
The recent discovery of irregularities in medical supply procurement by the Bangladesh Public Procurement Authority highlights the systemic issues within the system. Misappropriation of public funds and waste of state resources have been uncovered, further straining the already inadequate resources.
The situation is exacerbated by the low pay of healthcare professionals. Doctors earn an average of Tk 3 lakh annually, while nurses earn around Tk 1.9 lakh. This is among the lowest in South Asia. The country's per capita health expenditure is also among the lowest, at around 2.63 per cent of its GDP in 2020, far below the WHO's recommended 5 per cent benchmark.
Bangladesh's public healthcare system is in dire need of reform. The recent procurement irregularities, coupled with the high out-of-pocket expenses and low healthcare expenditure as a percentage of GDP, highlight the urgent need for increased investment and improved management. The country's dense population and high poverty rate make a well-functioning public healthcare system a matter of national importance.
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