Eradicate irregularities, corruption, and instability to bring discipline to health sector

For years, the country's health sector has been under constant criticism due to irregularities, corruption, mismanagement, and instability. Both during the regimes of the Awami League and the BNP, the health sector has suffered from extreme neglect and political favoritism. Recently, after the fall of the Awami League government, these issues have become even more apparent. News published in the newspaper on Wednesday (August 21) revealed that partisan politics has weakened the health sector. Rather than prioritizing the improvement of service quality, those in power have prioritized personal and group interests. Following the fall of the Awami League government, instability has emerged in public hospitals and educational institutions.

A critical question has now arisen: will the interim government create political balance in the health sector or run it with competent individuals? The Awami League government came to power in 2009 amid a crisis in the country. The public had great hopes and expectations from them due to their majority vote, but the Awami League abused its power across the board. The health services and medical education sectors were controlled by the Awami League-backed doctors' association, the Swadhinata Chikitshak Parishad (Swachip). Swachip leaders not only influenced appointments and transfers but also profited from business ventures within the health sector.

From 2001 to 2006, the opposite was true. During the BNP's tenure, the Doctors' Association of Bangladesh (DAB) held absolute dominance over all areas of the health sector. The influence of DAB leaders during that period pushed Swachip into a corner. Independents had the same experience under the BNP. The biggest casualties of this power struggle between Swachip and DAB have been the healthcare services and medical education system. The vested interests of these groups have hindered the development of the health sector. Public health experts have stated in the media that the health sector is a direct example of how partisan politics can weaken a service sector.

The interim government should prioritize banning partisan politics in the health sector. It is impossible to reform the health sector while keeping Swachip and DAB active. The government has changed, with an interim administration taking over after the ouster of the authoritarian regime. The public has high expectations from the interim government. They are already bringing about significant changes in all areas of governance. Party-affiliated officials are being removed from government institutions.

We are already seeing widespread changes in the education sector. We hope that the current government will bring exemplary reforms to the healthcare sector as well. Health and education are fundamental human rights. Over the past few years, we have seen extreme neglect in both of these areas. Not only have the public been deprived of their basic rights, but they have also faced various forms of harassment and exploitation. Instead of providing proper healthcare and education, the focus has been on extorting money.

The country’s healthcare and education sectors had become trapped in a commercial mindset. Individuals were valued more than institutions. The general public was deprived for the benefit of a few. We hope this mindset will change rapidly. We urge the current government to give the utmost attention to the healthcare system, just as it has done with the education system.