Dhaka March 12 2025:
NGOs play an important role in Bangladesh’s pluralistic healthcare system, delivering essential services, raising awareness, and advocating for policy reforms.
NGOs have been playing important role in taking basic healthcare to under-served areas and groups and strengthening community engagement with public health infrastructures.
However, financial sustainability and integration challenges continue to hinder their effectiveness. There are also concerns about duplication and undue projectization approach without long-term impacts These critical issues took center stage at a Health Debate organized by the Power and Participation Research Centre (PPRC) and the UHC Forum, with support from UNICEF, bringing together key stakeholders to discuss the contributions of NGOs and explore future pathways for strengthening their role in achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
NGO Affairs Bureau reported that in 2024, 187 NGOs got 2193 crore takas of external funding for health projects which include health service, advocacy and awareness building areas.
Cut in external funding has cast a shadow over the sector but speakers also stressed that the time should also be used by the NGOs for a holistic assessment of where they can contribute to the emerging health challenges of post-uprising Bangladesh. Speakers also emphasized the urgent need for alternative financing models to ensure the long-term viability of NGO-led health initiatives.
Discussions also highlighted the fragmented nature of NGO service provision, where many organizations operate independently, leading to service duplication in some areas and gaps in coverage in others. Experts called for a comprehensive mapping of NGO services, funding sources, and beneficiaries to ensure equitable distribution of healthcare resources, particularly in underserved areas.
Dr. Hossain Zillur Rahman emphasized the urgent need for stronger collaboration among NGOs to improve efficiency and prevent resource misallocation. He called for greater government-NGO coordination, improved financial governance, and strategic policy engagement to strengthen Bangladesh’s healthcare system to accelerate realization of UHC.
Chaired and moderated by PPRC Executive Chairman and UHC Forum Convener Hossain Zillur Rahman, participants in the debate included Mohammad Abdul Wazed, PPRC; Dr. Goutum Banik, Save the Children International; Md. Rezaul Hasan, City Special Branch; Mir Masud Rahman, DGFP; Dr. M A Faiz, Former DG, DGHS; Dr. Mohammad Khairul Hasan, UNICEF; Nabinur Rahman, Concern Worldwide; Sohana Shafique, icddr,b; Dr. Rezaul Haque, Gonoshasthaya Kendra; Kazi Morshed Alam, ActionAid Bangladesh; Dr. Saiha Marjia, BRAC; Dr. Md. Aminul Hasan, UHC Forum;
Dr. Md. Jafar Uddin, BRAC; Dr. Aeroangajeb Al Hossain, WaterAid Bangladesh; Prof. Dr. A FM Sarwar, BUHS; Prof. Rowshan Ara Begum, OGSB; Daud Jibon Das, Caritas Bangladesh; Dr. Imran Ahmed Chowdhury, BRAC; Dr. Hasan Mahmud, Consultant; Md. Ashadul Islam, UHC Forum; Mizanur Rahman, SERAC-BD; Rui Liu, ADB; Tanjin Upoma, UNICEF; Dr. Margub Aref Jahangir, UNICEF; Fida Mehran, UNICEF; Asadul Islam, Former Secretary, DGHS; M. Golam Rabbani, MSH; Professor Syed Abdul Hamid, IHE; Dr. Syed Kamrul Islam, DGHS; MD Abdul Hakim Majumder, Former PD, UPHCSDP; Mohammad Nahidul Karim, NGO Affairs Bureau.
