Health experts and campaigners urged the government to begin implementing the recommendations of the Health Sector Reform Commission to bring about major positive changes on 1st June, 2025.They acknowledged that the commission’s report may have some shortcomings that can be addressed, but stressed the need to start acting on feasible measures — particularly the enactment and amendment of key laws — without delay.

A member of the commission also said efforts are underway to correct the errors in the report. The remarks came during a discussion titled “Health Reforms: Review of Commission Recommendations and Way Forward”, held at the CIRDAP auditorium in the capital. The event was organised by the Power and Participation Research Centre (PPRC) and the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) Forum, with support from Unicef.The commission submitted its report last month, recommending an overhaul of the health sector. Key proposals included making primary healthcare a constitutional obligation and providing it free of cost to ensure universal access.The report also called for the formation of an independent and permanent Bangladesh Health Commission to develop essential policies and strategies. It further recommended the separation of health services by restructuring the current health cadre.

Hossain Zillur Rahman, executive chairman of PPRC and convener of the UHC Forum, said the post-report phase is crucial, especially in a country where progress is rarely linear. He said implementation of some achievable actions that could trigger significant change should begin immediately.”We can launch a movement demanding that primary healthcare be made a constitutional right by 2025,” Zillur said. He also stressed the need for social validation and collective ownership, urging the Health Sector Reform Commission and civil society to jointly develop a priority action agenda for 2025. In addition, he called for a feedback mechanism based on user experience and community input.

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