ED: The health sector needs more than just lip-service

A greater allocation should have been seen
Without a doubt, priority number one in Bangladesh right now is the pandemic we are currently going through. It was hoped that the 2021-2022 budget would reflect this fact, with an appropriately increased allocation for the health sector. Alas, this has not happened -- not if we closely look at the budget with clear eyes.

A budget of Tk32,731 crore has been proposed for the health sector, which is only 0.95% of GDP. Regrettably, this is even less than last year’s revised budget of 1.02%. Compare this to the recommended minimum of the World Health Organization -- which says at least 5% of GDP should be spent on health. The question may be asked: Why are we behind in this area?