The two-day national event on Universal Health Coverage (UHC) concluded in the city on Sunday with a call for improving technical and allocative efficiency for advancing in UHC.
Participants at the event called for promoting 'a healthy Bangladesh movement' by UHC champions through encouraging them.
They laid emphasis on resource generation at the local level and more engagement of the community to ensure UHC.
Good health and economic progress are inter-linked; the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) have elevated health from a sectoral to a strategic, cross-cutting agenda in the heart of which is the target of Universal Health Coverage, they observed.
The event titled, "Progressing on UHC: Awareness for action - A national event of knowledge exchange, capacity building and policy dialogue" was held at the LGED Auditorium on April 21-22.
Funded by the Health Finance and Governance (HFG) Project of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the programme was organised by Power and Participation Research Centre (PPRC).
In a presentation on 'Quality of care, efficiency, equity and responsiveness for advancing UHC agenda in Bangladesh', Brac University Professor Malabika Sarker suggested reorganising production processes to minimise un-necessary effort, waste, excess capacity, manage employees to improve their productivity, manage the supply chain to avoid leakages and stock outs and ensure that care complies with clinical guidelines.
On the other hand, regarding allocative improvement, she stressed providing effective 'primary prevention'- ensure immunisation, lower tobacco use, improve diet.
The event was organised in partnership with the Healthy Bangladesh, a civic platform, and the Municipal Association of Bangladesh (MAB).
Over 180 people from eight districts participated as UHC champions in the event.
State Minister for Finance MA Mannan was present as the chief guest at the concluding session.
He emphasised increasing awareness of UHC at all levels.
Executive Chairman of PPRC and convener of Healthy Bangladesh Hossain Zillur Rahman moderated the event.
