Thejusl announced National Health Policy (Nl IP) foc uses on prioritising services for the poor especially most vulnerable group in the society, reducing maternal and child mortality and bringing down population growth at replacement level’ by 2005.
A 26-member committee was formed on December 12, 1996 to formulate the NHP. a copy of which was formally handed over to Prime Minister Sheikh Haslna on Wednesday. Five areas In the health sector were selected and sub-committees were formed accordingly to recommend policy strategies and objectives.
Based on I he recommendations of the five subcommittees. six workshops were held at the divisional headquarters and later a draft health policy was prepared and submitted to the health ministry.
The following are some of the salient features of the NHP:
The NHP alms at prioritising services for tlic poor especially most vulnerable group In the society --women and children - reducing maternal and child mortality, facilitating emergency obstetric care, ensuring availability of doctors, nurses and technicians round the clock and smooth supply of medical equipment and drugs at all thana health complexes and union sub-centres.
It also alms at bringing all private clinics and private practice of doctors under regulation and I formulating guidelines on how private medical colleges should run. gearing up family planning activities and services and bringing down population growth at 'replacement level’ by 2005.
Il proposes that mentally retarded and disabled persons should have special arrangements for healthcare services. It wants to ensure accountability. cost-effective and quality health services at all levels and specialised healthcare facilities to stop exodus of pat lents seeking treatment abroad.
The policy has 29 strategies. These Include lib-
eralising and upgrading the drug policy in accordance with the NHP and ensuring rational use of drugs at all levels.
Restructuring and strengthening of Bangladesh Medical and Dental Council (BMDC). Nursing Council (NC). State Medical Faculty (SMF) and Centre for Medical Education (CME) also come under the strategics.
It has been proposed that as a first step. BMDC should be given statutory status by amendment to laws. If necessary. Services reform body should examine relationship among BMDC. NC. SMF and CME.
Besides. It is proposed that training of doctors in medical colleges should lx? community- oriented, administration of all medical colleges/lnstitutes and their attached hospitals should be managed by governing councils having autonomy.
Nutrition and medical education should be treated as the core of all health and family welfare activities, doctors serving in any government institution opting for private practice should lx offered facilities for this al the Institution under a clearly laid down policy, it is further proposed.
Accountability of all concerned in the healthcare service delivery system should be ensured. It is stressed.
Hie policy has 10 principles. Some highlights of these are to make essential healthcare facilities available al all health centres under thana health complexes, to ensure equity distribution and utilisation of available resources with greater focus on less advantaged, poor and distressed people.
These also focuses on qualily health services at grassroots level, decentralisation of logistic support, need- based manpower development, legal support for all those involved in healthcare delivery services as well as recipients of those.