How can this inequality be addressed? The answer lies in ensuring equity and fairness in healthcare services and policies. The first step is to identify lagging regions and communities, followed by targeted investment, adequate staffing, medicine supply and infrastructure development.
At the same time, the quality and effectiveness of healthcare must be ensured by bringing every district, upazila and household under the umbrella of health equity. Health indicators must also be analysed through the lens of inequality.
For an effective health system, regular district and upazila-level data review and analysis are essential, supported by the availability of reliable data and evidence-based decision-making.
A person’s place of residence, social standing or financial capacity should never determine their right to live or die. True progress in our health sector will come only when every citizen – rich or poor, urban or rural, male or female everyone can enjoy equal access to a healthy life.
May our journey in the health sector continue in that direction.
* Rumana Huque: Executive Director of the ARK Foundation; Professor of Economics, University of Dhaka.